Today we are taking a look back at Bulmers of York – with readers’ memories and a gallery of photos stretching back over the years.
One of York’s best-known shops, Bulmers – dubbed an Aladdin’s Cave in York – closed for good in 2016 after 57 years of trading.
The shop first opened on April 1, 1959, in Lord Mayor’s Walk, and later spread to the shop on the corner beside Monk Bar.
1971 – Lord Mayor’s Walk and Monk Bar showing Bulmers on the right. Photo – York Press
It was long respected as one of York’s most versatile retailers, selling fishing equipment, watches, guitars, golf clubs, musical instruments, records, and a mix of second-hand goods.
Among the services Bulmers offered was the opportunity for people to sell unwanted items through the store for a small commission, as well to exchange them for other goods on the shelves, including its range of antiques, musical instruments, records, CDs and DVDs.
Mick Bulmer set up the shop with his brother John in the 1950s.
In 2009, when the shop marked its 50th anniversary, Mick told The Press it had been “a hobby, not a job”.
Mick’s wife Anita was in charge of the office work at the family firm, and their daughter Jo-Anne Helliwell ran the neighbouring Blossom & Walker boutique and gift shop.
When the business closed in 2016, the family said it was in order to prioritise family time.
An obituary notice in The Press records that Mick died in 2019 aged 86 years.
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Members of our York Press nostalgia group in Facebook (www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia/) have fond and precious memories of Bulmers. Here is a selection of their recollections:
Graham Price: “Sold all kinds of stuff in there I could spend an hour just looking in the windows.”
Steve Marshall: “So much in the shop it was nearly impossible to see everything. You name it, he had one. Bought an acoustic guitar. Never did learn to play it!”
Barry Hewson: “Used to go in regularly for fishing tackle and air rifle pellets. Mike always had time for a chat.”
Ian Hood: “Loved the shop – and cannot hold Mick in any higher regard. Bought so much over the years.”
David Ryan: “Purchased my very first bass guitar from Bulmers.”
What are your memories of Bulmers – join the conversation in our Facebook group, Why We Love York – Memories.
Read more York nostalgia
DO you love delving into York’s past and seeing photos from yesteryear, and reading stories about them?
We do too! The Press features nostalgia pages most days in the paper and online – including an eight-page supplement every Wednesday in the paper.
We also have more than 3,000 members in our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York – Memories. It is free to join and you will find us at www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia/.
It would be great to see your old photos of York – and they don’t have to be from centuries ago. We all love seeing old photos from our own past, and some of our more popular stories date from the 70s, 80s and 90s – and even into the noughties.
If you have a nostalgia story for us, do get in touch!
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