Independent Lfs

[Cazgar]

You hear so many horror stories here about some chains.
I'm lucky as both the chains near me are pretty good,
However I've found a great little independent, not too far from me.
Well stocked, clean tanks, every one is individually filtered, & the owners really care
I've been a couple of times now, & each time it's been quite busy, & from earwigging most seem to be regulars as all the talk is about how their new tank/ fish are getting on etc.
I was even asked how my endlers were settling in, now that's good customer relations, as the owner remembered me!

 

[adamlawes13]

You hear so many horror stories here about some chains.
I'm lucky as both the chains near me are pretty good,
However I've found a great little independent, not too far from me.
Well stocked, clean tanks, every one is individually filtered, & the owners really care
I've been a couple of times now, & each time it's been quite busy, & from earwigging most seem to be regulars as all the talk is about how their new tank/ fish are getting on etc.
I was even asked how my endlers were settling in, now that's good customer relations, as the owner remembered me!

sounds like a good place!
where are you from?

 

[Cazgar]

I'm in the Nw uk, between Liverpool & Preston

 

[smokeyjo]

Good for u mate its great when u find a good 1. I've got 1 near me always go there before the chain stores

 

[snake007]

Ive found a good one and will be sticking to it, they give great advice, have a wide choice of fish, and always have very rare species in.
And their sensibly priced and quite big.

 

[Westwood]

I have my independent shop and I go no where else!
Much better than the chains!

Westwood

 

[Cazgar]

Yes, I think if you find a good one, then stick with it.
I know which will be my first stop in future

 

[the_lock_man]

Being an independant retailer myself, I am predisposed towards other indies, and I have quite a large selection of decent ones around here. And I was asked by one how my peacock gobies were getting on.

However I have 2/3 decent MAs local as well, so I do go there too.

But I would not purchase from P@H, unless I was severely desparate, just because it's a ridiculous large chain of non-specialists.

 

[DBT85]

C'mon folks share the names of these shops that you like!

 

[the_lock_man]

C'mon folks share the names of these shops that you like!

OK, the particular indie that I refer to is Arundel Aviaries and Fisheries, Arundel Street, Portsmouth.

 

[snake007]

Wildwoods - Theobalds Park RD Crews Hill - Enfield - Middlesex EN2 9BP - Their stock list - http/www.tropicalf...re=54&type=Fish

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[Twinklecaz]

My favourite is called Fish Around and is in Hailsham High Street, East Sussex. Great bloke called James runs it. Will get you any fish you ask for if he can.

My joint second favs are Fishy Business in Hilliers Garden Centre, Stone Cross, East Sussex (vastly improved in the last year. This is the place I actually rescued my Betta from who was on death's door but I can't fault them now) and:

Aquatic Mania, 249 Seaside, Eastbourne, East Sussex. All my first fish came from there and though only my 3 Pygmys are with me now, this was no fault of theirs. If you love Platys, they have the best variety I've ever seen.


There is one nearish me too called Academy Aquatic in St Leonards Warrior Square (Hastings), East Sussex that I have never bought any fish from (yet anyway lol) but they always look fab and have some good variety too.

 

[phoenixgsd]

we have a good one in newton abbot called something fishy


and then we have pets at home

 

[micko]

I won't name this shop as its a negative comment, but I'd have travelled on a three hour round trip to one independant but since its had money pumped in from a large English chain its gone downhill. Hard to work out why they went with them as it was going brilliantly for years, decades in fact. Went downhill with stocking and prices too. I wouldn't go to them now if they were based on the same street as me.

Another one I go to is decent although 90% of the time the owner is stoned so its hit and miss getting any real converstation going.

There are two main ones I go to, couldn't fault them and will order fish in for you and one will order other repltiles/strange pet in for you.

I'm not a Pets at Home basher, I've found them to be OK here, as I've said before, a chain like this let's each place run itself. The chain isn't the problem, its bad management from individual shops, not as a whole.