About Us

Our story

A young Christopher Draper holding two air pistols in front of the gun rack in the early days of Drapers Gun Centre
A young Christopher Draper in the early days of the gun business.

Drapers Gun Centre is a family-run business with a proud history dating back to the 1950s, when Peter Draper founded P. J. Draper as a car audio, electronics and home electrical retailer.

The business took a new direction in 1975 when Peter’s son, Christopher Draper, wanted to get into shooting. Having grown up around the family farm, Chris developed a passion for the sport, and what began as a personal hobby soon became part of the business. After placing an advert in the Nottingham Evening Post looking to buy a gun for himself, he was overwhelmed by the number of people wanting to sell theirs. Before long, a small corner of the shop was dedicated to buying and selling guns — and Drapers Gun Centre was born.

As the retail landscape changed during the 1990s, the business gradually moved away from electrical goods and focused entirely on airguns, shooting equipment and accessories. What started as a local shop soon developed into a trusted retailer serving customers across the UK.

Inside the original P. J. Draper shop during its electrical-retail days
Inside the original P. J. Draper shop during its electrical-retail days.
The original P. J. Draper & Son shopfront in Nottingham — electrical retailer on one side, Specialist Air Rifle Centre on the other
The P. J. Draper & Son shopfront — electricals on one side, ‘Specialist Air Rifle Centre’ on the other.

Friendly, honest advice

Whether you’re new to shooting or a seasoned enthusiast, we are always happy to offer friendly, honest advice to help you find the right products for your needs. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service, competitive prices and creating a welcoming environment for everyone who visits us, whether in-store or online.

The family behind Drapers

Christopher Draper with the shop's original GUNS sign in today's showroom
Christopher Draper with the shop’s original GUNS sign, back in today’s showroom.

Today, the business is led by Rebecca Draper, who joined the company in 2010 and is now the Managing Director of Drapers Gun Centre. Rebecca oversees the day-to-day running of the business, managing operations, purchasing and customer service while continuing the family values that have been at the heart of Drapers for almost 70 years.

Christopher Draper has now fully retired but remains passionate about the shooting industry. Although we try to encourage him to fully retire, customers may still spot him in the shop from time to time when he drops in for a visit.

Looking ahead

As we look to the future, Drapers Gun Centre is going through a period of change and development. We’ll be sharing updates along the way, so be sure to keep an eye on our website and social media channels to see what’s new.

For over 50 years, Drapers Gun Centre has built its reputation on expert knowledge, friendly service and a genuine passion for shooting sports. Whether you’re visiting our showroom or shopping online, we look forward to welcoming you and helping you find exactly what you need.