Oxford fishkeeping shop blames closure on transport schemes

The Goldfish Bowl, the UK’s premier live aquatics and fishkeeping equipment shop in Magdalen Road, will close its doors for the last time on July 31.

Owned by Barry Allday, the shop has served East Oxford as an award-winning specialist shop, as well as a community and educational hub since

READ MORE: Oxford fishkeeping shop announces closure after 70 years

A statement from Mr Allday and the team said: “This decision has not been taken lightly, and I am aware that The Goldfish Bowl has played a central role for many in their fishkeeping journey.

Ping Low and Barry Allday owned The Goldfish Bowl in 2021 (Image: Ed Nix)

“Much more than that, we have always been very much part of the Oxford landscape and the very vibrant East Oxford Community.

“It has been a remarkable journey for me and my dedicated team past and present and, of course, all of you who have visited and supported us over the years.”

Among his reasons for shutting down the business, Mr Allday said Oxfordshire County Council’s transport schemes have been a nail in the coffin for an independent outfit struggling to keep customers coming in the door.

He said: “Sadly, the implementations of the current transport schemes by Oxford Council over the past four years has proved a considerable business challenge for us and customers visiting us.

“This and the increase in running costs make it very difficult for a small business such as us to adapt and remain viable.

“As well as that I am well over my retirement age and really need to hang up my net.”

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The owners of the shop, Mr Allday and Mrs Ping Low, were vocally opposed to the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods when they were introduced in Cowley in 2021.

Mrs Low said at the time that the LTNs would ‘tear the community apart’ and affect people’s livelihoods, adding: “People still need cars – you can’t put a fish tank on a bicycle.”

Stuart Silvester, owner of Silvester’s Stores when it shut down after 112 years trading in 2022 (Image: Ed Nix)

It’s the second long-standing business on Magdalen Road to blame the traffic measures for its closure, since hardware shop Silvester’s Stores closed in 2022 after 112 years operating in Oxford, blamed by Stuart Silvester on the ‘disaster’ of the LTNs.

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport, councillor Gareth Epps, said: “It is clear that many businesses are feeling significant pressures due to a number of factors.

“Rising costs affect every business; this and economic uncertainty were cited as the most common challenges in the recent business survey conducted for us.

“Nationally there has been a decline in footfall across Britain’s towns and cities.  Many family businesses will also need support where an owner wishes to retire.

Oxfordshire County Council’s new cabinet member for transport Gareth Epps (Image: Councillor Gareth Epps)

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“Separating out wider economic influences from local traffic measures is not always easy when discussing the reasons why businesses are experiencing upswings and downswings.

“Reducing congestion and creating the conditions for business to thrive are not mutually exclusive concepts.

“As the new portfolio holder for transport, I’m keen to engage with businesses across the city and discuss how we can make sure that Oxford remains an attractive place to live, work, visit and do business.”