13 hours Ago
On this day in 2024, Dave’s Angling Superstore, commonly known as Dave’s Aquarium, announced its impending closure after decades of service to the community. A sign prominently displayed outside the shop indicated a closing down sale, stating, 'everything must go.' Geoff, a staff member who has dedicated more than half his life to the shop since joining in 1990, shared insights into the decline of the business .
He began his career building tanks, producing over 2,000 per week at the peak of the store's wholesale operations. However, Geoff noted that trade had significantly fallen, attributing part of the decline to the rise of online shopping . Geoff said trade had fallen, in part, thanks to the internet (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest) He said: "Things have just declined.
"People are on the internet, they’ll come in, see a fish tank, pick your brains and you’ll tell them everything about it. "Next thing, they’re on the phone and they say they’ll come back. "They’ve seen it on the internet cheaper.
" The store was based at the Old Schoolhouse site in Bradshaw from the 1960s to 1980s (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest) Among the customers was nine-year-old Charlie, who visited Dave’s to purchase a tank and some fish. A loyal patron since the age of five, Charlie expressed his sadness over the shop's closure, highlighting the valuable advice he received that helped him care for his fish . He stated: "I think it’s the best fish store ever.
"It’s just got the biggest selection. "There are some really attractive fish here." Dave’s Aquarium was a staple in the community, having operated at the Old Schoolhouse site in Bradshaw from the 1960s to 1980s before relocating to its location on Folds Road.
[From the Bolton News of February 22, 2024].
