Callan’s is tucked away on the outskirts of the city centre. It is essentially an army surplus store. It looks like a very small store from the outside but it extends back a long way. The items here are well organised and varied. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a simple pair of combats, a nice warm hat, a bag or if you need a range of camping supplies, the staff are very helpful and friendly and will not try to pressure you into buying something you don’t need. This is the last remaining army surplus store in the city centre and it is easy to see why. The shop is well stocked, inexpensive and the staff are excellent. Long may it remain
Marcel D.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Liverpool, United Kingdom
Now in my not so vast experience of Army Surplus stores, I’ve often been greeted by characters that remind me of Army Mike from Spaced! But not here, these guys are ridiculously helpful and stock all sorts of crazy items! I only went in to get some camo paint for an Army fancy dress party, but found myself looking at a range of gore-tex camo jackets, army helmets and combat knives, before having an in depth conversation about camping and outdoor survival with Liverpool’s answer to Ray Mears! If you are looking for any camping or Army related bits and bobs then I would recommend this place 100%. It’s situated within the city centre and I’ve never come across staff this helpful in any other local Army Surplus shops! I’m going backpacking soon and I think I’ll pop in here before I go for survival tips and one of their little camping stoves!
Anthony S.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Liverpool, United Kingdom
I don’t really know what to make of this place as I’m not really much of specialist in military gear or the darker side of outdoorsy stuff — and it seems that you do need to be something of a fanatic shall we say to get the most out of this place. I don’t want to give the wrong impression, it’s not quite like the shop in Falling Down, but there is generally something uneasy in a shop filled with military aparatus and men obsessivley chatting about it over the counter. Certainly these chaps know their stuff and are very happy to help in anyway. A couple of years ago I needed to get some specialist gear for a job I was working on, I obviously didn’t have a clue about air rifles but the ensuing 1 hour converstion — largley one sided — certainly made things a lot clearer and the world a slightly scarier place.
Ruth B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Liverpool, United Kingdom
Collam’s is an Army Surplus, Camping and Sports equipment shop with bubbly and friendly staff. Peter, who works there says he will always do you a deal. If you are looking for something useful how about a Swiss Army Knife or a Multi-tool. They sell nunchucks and the type of ballclavas the bad guys wear in bank robberies but the customers all look reasonably normal and law abiding. The next closest army surplus shop is in Manchester but Callam’s is not your typical surplus store. The second hand items look like new and are as well presented as any other retail clothing store.