Customer takes over Team Valley shop Cyber Aquatics

Feb 25 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A FORMER customer who panicked when his favourite shop closed down has taken over the business and is getting in the swim thanks to help from local people.

Terry Lowe gave up working as a self-employed taxi driver to take the helm at Cyber Aquatics on the Team Valley, where he had previously bought marine and tropical fish for his own home.

He said: “It’s one of the best shops I’d been in. It’s a passion – I’ve been doing it for about seven years as a hobby.

“When the opportunity came up, my wife and my cousin said ‘why don’t you go for it?’ ”

Although his personal interest is in marine fish, Cyber Aquatics also sells tropical fish and reptiles.

Mr Lowe opened the doors again last autumn and says the support he has received from local people has been brilliant.

Local landscape garden company Abbey Landscaping built a counter shaped like a ship’s galley and carried out other joinery work in the shop for free and plumber Ian Treddenick also leant a hand.

“I’ve got another customer George Tweddle who comes in and gives us a hand on a Saturday when we’re busy,” said Mr Lowe.

He has also re-employed John Shuttleworth, who worked at the shop before it closed.

“He’s been in the trade for about 35 years. I asked if he would come on board and he is the heart of the shop,” said Mr Lowe.

But steering the shop on to an even keel hasn’t all been plain sailing.

Mr Lowe said: “I took over in September, I’m just starting to get on my feet now.

“It’s been a bit quiet with the weather, January in particular, but it’s starting to pick up.

“We’re slowly, slowly building it up and it’s building up the confidence of the suppliers.”

Cyber Aquatics is holding a Reef Night this evening from 6pm-9pm for enthusiasts to learn more about the pastime.