Ipswich store The Military Unit moves from Sailmakers Shopping Centre to The Walk

The owners of an Ipswich store offering military surplus and outdoor gear have fallen in love with their new home a week after moving.

The Military Unit opened in the old Bromley & Co unit in The Walk last Friday, having previously been based out of Sailmakers Shopping Centre.

Rebecca Eaks and Stuart Mill, who run the store, fancied a change of scenery, with the more central location matching the vision for their business.

The pair said the relaunch was massively successful.

Rebecca said: “We’ve noticed a real difference since we got here and we’ve been very successful. We love it here.

“Because we’re on a cut through between Tavern Street and the Buttermarket Shopping Centre, it’s more bustling. The Walk is also growing as a destination.

“The Walk has a nice character, it’s a bit more quirky, with loads of character. It’s got a nice feel to it.

“It’s also got beautiful buildings, I love the oldie-worldie Tudor-style buildings here.”

A new home also means changes for the business.

Originally starting life as Bait & Tackle selling fishing gear, this equipment has now been removed from its stock due to what Rebecca described as an ‘oversaturated market’.

While they retain clothing and accessories for airsoft, they will not sell airsoft guns or BBs.

Instead, The Military Unit is moving toward camping and outdoors gear while expanding its offering of military surplus, clothes for men, women and children, luggage, backbacks, rucksacks and boots.

They first had their eye on The Walk after a Christmas market in December, believing it was where they wanted to be, Rebecca said.

Stuart said the pair were happy at their new home.

Rebecca said: “The new shop is smaller and easier to navigate, the old one could be a little daunting. Our old customers were quick to find us and we get new customers visit from the nearby shops.

“Our goal is to keep doing what we’re doing, getting more ‘unusual’ surplus in. We also want to do trade-ins for old kit.”

Stuart said: “Overall, it’s been a really positive move.”

The Military Unit offers a 10 per cent discount to security and military personnel, ‘blue light’ emergency services, plus a 15 per cent off on boots for cadets.