Sporting profile
Sporting Gun meets Tony Stone, co-director of Emmett & Stone Country Sports
When and why did you open the store?
We Buckinghamshire, opened the store in December in Little Marlow, 2011 after seeing a few local dealers retire, sell their premises, or close due to ill health. Shooting was a life-long passion for my friend Ryan and I, so we decided to try and turn our passion into a business.
What is your role at Emmett & Stone?
I am a co- director with Ryan Emmett. However, as with any small business, we do most of it with the help of our small team.
What can our readers expect from Emmett & Stone?
We offer honest and accurate expert advice along with a large range of products. The shop has everything, ranging from clothing, footwear, heaps of accessories and then a large selection of shotguns, rifles and airguns. Shooting often has an elitist reputation, so we have dedicated ourselves to sourcing quality country goods to suit anyone’s budget.
Did you have any experience in this industry before you started the company?
Neither apart from of us being had avid experience shooters. in the This industry, has stood us in good stead because we understand what our customers need and can give them sound advice. We have also learned a lot from the suppliers and manufacturers.
What does the future hold for Emmett & Stone?
We could do with more space because we have expanded a lot over the past few years. We now have an airgun range, so people can come and have a bit of fun plinking, or try an airgun before they buy it. All being well, 2019 might see us expand even more because all aspects of our business have developed far beyond either of our imaginations.
You’ve said you are keen on fieldsports, but what sort of shooting do you do?
My passion is rifle shooting, which stems from growing up on the plains and veld of South Africa. Now I live in the United Kingdom I love getting out and away from everything into a high seat with a rifle.
Where can our readers find you?
We are within easy access of the M4/M40 in Little Marlow near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. You can also view our products on our new website (www. emmettandstone.co.uk) and at our online shop, which showcase our gunroom and all the new products at great prices.
What does Emmett & Stone specialise in?
Between myself, Ryan and Sam (another member of staff) we believe we can cover most bases comprehensively. We provide good advice on clothing and footwear. Being shooters, we can help customers who need optics and accessories. We know a lot about shotgun, rifle and air rifle hardware, too.
What’s changed the most since you started the company?
When we first opened, we got a mountain of online requests. That has now tailed off and more and more people are coming to visit us in the shop to see and try the product. This is great for us and the industry because it means we can offer that personal touch the customer likes.
“All aspects of our business have developed far beyond either of our imaginations”
For more information: Emmett & Stone Country Sports Ltd Wilton Farm, Marlow Road, Little Marlow, Bucks SL7 3RR. Email:shop@emmettandstone.co.uk Tel: 01628 474187 www.emmettandstone.co.uk