 Chris Cooper, Annabel Vruggink and Richard Cooper. | A fishing tackle shop which opened in Bromsgrove just two days before the first pandemic lockdown is delighted to be celebrating its second anniversary this month. In 2019 Richard Cooper decided to give up his role as a business consultant to focus on running a fishing tackle business. He recognised that Bromsgrove had lacked a dedicated angling shop |
since Roy Huins had closed his Worcester Road outlet in the early 2000s. Richard spent a year conducting home-based research and leased retail premises at Sapphire Court on Bromsgrove Technology Park.
Following a three month refit he opened ‘Rods and Lines’ on March 21 2020 and was subsequently forced to close its doors two days later following the government’s ‘Stay at home’ policy.
Richard found himself with a fully stocked shop and rent to pay. Whilst the new business had a website its online shopping facility was in its infancy, but soon website sales were generating a good income. Richard also prepared a ‘click and collect’ service, for when restrictions were eased.
Fishing was one of the first activities to be allowed back on a wider scale when lockdown ended in May 2020 and Boris Johnson encouraged people to “go fishing and play golf”.
Rods and Lines experienced soaring sales and by the second lockdown in November 2020 was well placed for handling online and ‘click & collect’ orders.
Richard said: “When shops began to re-open after the first lockdown many fishing tackle businesses struggled with supply issues and stock shortages. We were lucky because our new shop had been fully stocked when forced to temporarily close. It was something of a blessing in disguise.”
Moving forward Rods and Lines has plans to expand the product ranges it offers, alongside the installation of a second floor to better display clothing and larger stock items.
Following a three month refit he opened ‘Rods and Lines’ on March 21 2020 and was subsequently forced to close its doors two days later following the government’s ‘Stay at home’ policy.
Richard found himself with a fully stocked shop and rent to pay. Whilst the new business had a website its online shopping facility was in its infancy, but soon website sales were generating a good income. Richard also prepared a ‘click and collect’ service, for when restrictions were eased.
Fishing was one of the first activities to be allowed back on a wider scale when lockdown ended in May 2020 and Boris Johnson encouraged people to “go fishing and play golf”.
Rods and Lines experienced soaring sales and by the second lockdown in November 2020 was well placed for handling online and ‘click & collect’ orders.
Richard said: “When shops began to re-open after the first lockdown many fishing tackle businesses struggled with supply issues and stock shortages. We were lucky because our new shop had been fully stocked when forced to temporarily close. It was something of a blessing in disguise.”
Moving forward Rods and Lines has plans to expand the product ranges it offers, alongside the installation of a second floor to better display clothing and larger stock items.
RSS Feed
