One thing which did strike me at that time in the 1980's was that the interest rate was about 11/12% and for those in business it was like a win on the lotto as they reaped benefits of this rate by accumulating a tidy bank account on their profits.
Not so for those who were paying mortgages and if business wasn't so good,as it threw lots of people in the red. For those people,times were tough and a great worry too,but not for the Bamber's as a shrewd Neville must have smiled on his way to the bank. Neville's remark about RWB not being a " good businessman " must have hit home as he,RWB, was feeling the pinch having to go to granny,cap in hand.Then Neville buying land so that the Eaton's could use it to advantage----------Neville's way of helping out while things were obviously tough.
Who wouldn't have wanted a ( free ) profitable business at that time ?? Mortgage free !!