Famous Army Stores

Famous Army Stores Ltd. was a major independent retailer of camping equipment, outdoor clothing footwear and army supplies. It was based in Garston, Liverpool, It had been owned and managed by the well known Wilson family of Liverpool,whose business interests had included the Starways Airline which operated out of Liverpool. In 1996 a management buy-out was carried out by Financial Director, Graham Smith and two colleagues. The chain then rapidly grew from 100 stores to 200 in an amazing change of fortune with a turnover of £50 million. Foot and mouth disease and mismanagement plunged the once profitable business into severe debt, with the company's bankers cancelling the companies overdraft the company was placed in administration. The preferred bidder and eventual owner, Blacks Leisure Group (Blacks), acquired 47 stores and all of the stock for £1.7 million. While Blacks retained all of the staff from the 47 stores, most of the managers left the business as the stores' brands were changed to Millets or Blacks.