WORKERS have been sent home from a Bolton aquatic shop after it was temporarily closed.

Dave’s Aquarium in Folds Road has been closed to the public following a visit from a corporate recovery and insolvency firm.

The shop, which is part of a chain, has been plagued by burglaries in the past but this is not thought to be a factor in the sudden temporary closure.

The shutter was lowered on the main shop entrance by a representative from West Yorkshire-based firm O’Hara, which specialises in corporate recovery and insolvency matters for businesses and individuals. He was unable to comment but confirmed O’Hara was handling the matter.

Staff said they hoped the shop would reopen this weekend but were unable to comment about any possible reasons behind the action.

One member of staff, who asked not to be named, said: “The shop has been trading well and I don’t think the issue is related to trade in Bolton.” It is understood the shop employs 15 full-time staff. Lights remained switched on, including in the cafe.

O’Hara and Co is an independent firm specialising in all aspects of insolvency, including providing corporate and personal financial advice.

Chris Brookbanks, from O’Hara, is handling the case but declined to comment.

A spokesperson for the Batley firm simply said: “O’Hara is acting as trustees in bankruptcy for Peter Hemingway.”

Mr Hemingway is the aquarium chain’s owner.

The Folds Road shop has suffered a string of break-ins over the years.

In one raid last September, thieves broke through the ceiling early one Sunday morning before stealing hundreds of pounds from arcade machines which had only been installed a few days before the burglary took place.

It is believed there have been at least 20 incidents at the store.

At the time, Geoff Chantler, one of the managers, said he had lost count of the thefts which ran “well into double figures”.