DOOMSDAY prepper mums have forked out up to £100,000 on nuke shelters and apocalypse proof suits.
The Armageddon-fearing souls even keep cupboards stuffed with loo roll in case life as we know it hits the fan.
Among them are Dr Sarita Robinson, a mum-of-two, who along with her husband are so concerned about the end of the world that they have a full bug out plan and rendezvous point agreed with their kids.
The 48-year-old from Preston, Lancs, told Mail+: “There’s also what I call my ‘go bag’, containing a bit of cash, some self-heating meals from Amazon, Kendal Mint Cake to keep sugar levels up (it won’t melt like chocolate), a blanket and a change of clothes.
“[A] three-month supply of food under the stairs including milk powder, flour for bread making, a huge sack of rice, drinking water, bags of pasta and a vast stock of tinned tuna.”
The war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, unpredictable weather patterns and AI taking over are some of the reasons Brits are prepping.
Sarita, an associate dean in the school of psychology and humanities at the University of Central Lancashire, says prepping is “essential” but should not interfere with your life.
She added: “I don’t have a bunker in my garden — though I would quite like one — nor a collection of weapons.”
But a growing number of Brits are splashing out on bunkers.
Lincolnshire-based UK Nuke Shelters say they’ve seen a “300 to 400 per cent increase in inquiries in the past couple of years”, according to boss Paul Thompson.
He’ll build you a custom-designed bunker for between £50,000 and £100,000.
For two adults and two kids, you could get a bathroom and kitchen area in a semi-buried bunker measuring 5.5 metres by 2.5 metres.
It will boast a portable power station, water storage for 2,000 litres, carbon filters, pumps to boost water pressure and a cesspit for waste.
Lincoln Miles, who runs Preppers Shop UK in North Cornwall, has also seen business boom – especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He said: “One customer recently spent £24,000 with us on portable solar panels, food, generators and water-purifying systems.”
Lincoln’s best-selling items include a “one-month survival military ration pack supply box”, which includes 60 British military meal pouches, which are good for 20 years.
A full kit with added 60 teabags, 60 chilli powder sachets, 60 sachets of salt and pepper and 20 “military drink powders” comes in at £248.
Other prepper items available online include a £570 fully-stocked emergency medical kit on wheels with “combat tourniquets”.
While Sgt Prepper’s hazmat suits for adults and children start at £95 with brass rabbit snares flogged for £3.95.
Long-time prepper Lesley Tither, 71, says she’s noticed an influx of Brits interested in gearing up for the worst.
Having stockpiled everything from candles to a collection of -20C sleeping bags, she explained: “I’m always prepping for any kind of natural or man-made disaster.
“If the road infrastructure is compromised, shops are unable to open due to bombing or lack of power, I know I can survive.”
