Dave’s Angling Superstore, more commonly known as Dave’s Aquarium, is set to shut down for good.

A sign on the outside of the shop advertises a closing down sale, saying ‘everything must go’.

Staff member,  Geoff, who did not wish to give his surname, has spent more than half his life working in the shop, joining in 1990.

Geoff started out building tanks in the shop – producing more than 2000 per week at the height of the business’ wholesale operation.

Now, however, Geoff says trade has fallen – in part, thanks to the internet.

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The 58-year-old explained: “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.”

According to Geoff, the swingers club which had been planned to occupy the back of the site by owner Peter Hemingway will now not be going ahead after Mr Hemingway has suffered from poor health.

The date of the shop’s closure is not yet set in stone, but Geoff said: “We’re looking April, possibly June.”

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‘The best fish store ever’The Bolton News: Charlie, aged nine, said Dave's is the 'best fish store ever'Charlie, aged nine, said Dave's is the 'best fish store ever' (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Charlie, aged nine, was visiting Dave’s to buy a tank and some fish.

Coming to Dave’s since he was five-years-old, Bury resident Charlie is a proud owner of three Platys – named Spiffy, Swimmy, and Peanut Butter.

He told The Bolton News that he was sad to hear the shop was set to close, as he valued the advice he’d received from Dave’s, which had saved him from making mistakes in caring for his fish.

He added: “I think it’s the best fish store ever. It’s just got the biggest selection.

“There are some really attractive fish here.”

The store was based at the recently redeveloped Old Schoolhouse site in Bradshaw from the 1960s to 1980s before moving to its present home in Folds Road.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.