John Forsey calls time on gun shop after 66 years

After 66 years in the gun trade, John Forsey is retiring at 87, closing his shop on 31 December and reflecting on a lifetime in shooting.

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Early beginnings: Gentry’s and unlikely customers

Mr Forsey opened his first premises at No 103 in Welling in 1959, trading as Gentry’s. The business started with an odd mix of sportswear, fishing tackle, air rifles and tobacco. Boxing champion Henry Cooper was among the early customers, coming in for his socks.

From those unlikely beginnings, Mr Forsey built the business on straightforward principles. “Without the customer, you have no business – you have nothing,” he said. When Gentry’s closed in the early 1990s, Mr Forsey opened again in 1994 as John Forsey Guns. With his team – Phil Jackson, Luke Webb and Sue Nichol – he’s maintained that customer-first approach, earning the shop a reputation for knowledge and service among the shooting community.

Beyond the counter, Mr Forsey has been a dedicated member of the Kent Wildfowlers since the early 1960s, working to promote the club and bring younger shots into the pursuit.

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Farewell message

Announcing his retirement, Mr Forsey thanked customers, suppliers and even competitors, saying those relationships had “always made us strong”. He praised his staff as “simply the best”. His final thanks went to his late wife, Anne. “I know what she would say: ‘Wildfowling spoken here.’”

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