Shirley Aquatics celebrate 85th anniversary

The firm was originally located on Stratford Road in Shirley before moving its main premises to Beckett’s Farm in Wythall in 2016. Earlier in 2024, the company opened a brand new Japanese Koi facility exclusively for hobbyists and enthusiasts to view their imported Japanese fish. The new facility is home to fish worth up to £20,000 each.

The current Managing Director, Richard Cook is the grandson of Ronald Cook, who purchased the business from original founder Colin Roe in 1982. Richard is now the third generation of the Cook family to take the helm at Shirley Aquatics after his father, John Cook. John still works in the business, taking the lead on the development of the new Japanese Koi facility whilst also taking the time annually to visit Japan to select the best fish to import for UK hobbyists.

The business became a popular destination in the late 1990’s when the original store in Shirley was home to a 10-foot nurse shark. The shark was named Nobby after footballer Nobby Stiles, having originally been assumed to be a male. Upon returning from university

after completing a Marine Biology degree, Richard identified that the shark was a female and was likely to grow to at least 14 foot, exceeding the dimension of her tank. Nobby was subsequently transported to the SeaLife centre in Great Yarmouth, becoming a major attraction. The current store located in Wythall is currently home to two smaller Japanese Banded Hound Sharks which are housed in the store’s flagship 15,000 litre aquarium.

“We’re extremely proud of our heritage and realise how privileged we are to be celebrating our 85th anniversary in business. The business has survived a world war, multiple recessions and a pandemic and this is testament to our incredible customers who have placed their trust in Shirley Aquatics over the generations,” said Managing Director, Richard Cook.

“The business looks very different to how it did 85 years ago, we’ve become renowned for our range of indoor aquariums, premium Koi and have even incorporated a large reptile department providing everything that people need to care for exotic animals such as snakes, lizards and tortoises. We’re always trying to make improvements to our store, customer service and product offering in line with our customer expectations. Our whole team are just as passionate as Dad and I about helping customers with their home tanks or garden ponds. Here’s to the next 85 years!”