Bury St Edmunds fishing tackle shop - Tackle Up - celebrates 50th anniversary

A family-run fishing tackle shop has been reeling in the years as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Tackle Up, in St John’s Street, Bury St Edmunds, was founded by Rick Nunn, in September 1972, when he was 23 years old.

Since then shop has become known as one of the best stocked fishing tackle shops in the region, with thousands of pieces of equipment.

It’s now run by Rick’s daughters Emma Hanks, 50, and Rachel Godfrey, 53, who joined the shop straight from school.

Rick still helps out 15 hours a week and has no plans to retire.

Emma’s daughter, Abbie, 25 and Rachel’s daughter, Jasmine, 17, also work at the shop along with Robbie Stabler, 21, a customer since he was at primary school.

“The actual premises has been in our family for four generations and was an antiques shop for many years, before dad opened the tackle shop,” said Emma.

“Rachel and I can remember packing ground bait and counting worms even when we were still at school. Dad never had a day off work in all the time he was running it. He’s 76 now and loves every minute of it.”

Tackle Up has already held a couple of celebratory open day events with visits by star anglers including Alan Blair and Julian Cundiff. It sells equipment covering all disciplines from coarse angling to sea fishing, and for all seasons.

“Fishing is still as popular as it ever was, especially after lockdown, as many people discovered the hobby for the first time, while others picked up their rod again,” said Emma.

“People take up fishing for all sorts of reasons, as a solo or family hobby, perhaps for mental health reasons, to be closer to the environment, or just to relax in peace and quiet.

“Our customers are of all ages and from all walks of life and there are different styles to suit everyone, from sitting on a riverbank to more active fishing from a boat.

"You can get out of it what you want. It’s just good for the mind and soul.”

Emma says many women have also taken up the hobby.

“It is predominantly male dominated but we have quite a few female customers, perhaps through us working at the shop.”

Tackle Up also prefers to meet customers face-to-face and doesn’t sell over the internet.

Rick Nunn said: “It’s a great achievement to hit 50 years from what started as a hobby at the age of eight.

"The best thing is the customers, starting people out in angling, giving them a hobby for life and seeing what a difference angling can make to their lives.”