Cooke & Arkwright
News
Swimming in the fast lane
22/03/2011
A fast growing tropical fish specialist has expanded into retail after growing into one of the largest aquatic installers in Wales. Aquabatic, a Penarth based firm, has opened a new headquarters at Link Trade Park, Penarth Road in Cardiff, where it has leased space for a large showroom and concept store from Cardiff Pool and Spa.
There is a natural synergy between the two businesses, with Aquabatic offering a range of services from design, build, maintenance and supply of specialist plant and eye catching tropical fish, and Cardiff Pool and Spa supplying all things pool and spa related for commercial and domestic use.
Jeremy Symons of Cooke & Arkwright, who acted on behalf of the landlord, Cardiff Pool & Spa in the deal said, “Whilst there was potential to let the whole of the building, Aquabatic offered a perfect solution for the surplus accommodation. We have every reason to believe that the outcome will be of major benefit to both businesses.”
Aquabatic’s showroom offers clients the space to visualise what can be done for their home or business. Tom Thomas of Aquabatic said, “Our whole ethos is about improving the standard of aquaculture in the UK. Our approach is a more holistic one that sees aquatics integrated into building design and layout both commercially and residentially. Fish that are properly cared for can help organisations with staff and customer retention, improving the environment and providing an aesthetically pleasing living ornament. All our fish are either bred by us or sourced from sustainable fisheries that manage wild stocks in an ethical way. We can stock acquaria in natural biotype set-ups such as a Chinese mountain stream or an African lake. We can even reflect corporate colours.”
Aquabatic has just completed a demanding commission for the forthcoming film ‘Submarine’, starring Michael Sheen. “The director wanted a set up he could film through and we were able to deliver and stock under extremely tight timescales,” said Mr Thomas.
Peter Evans of Cardiff Pool and Spa said that the two businesses complemented each other perfectly. “People who have a natural disposition to all things water related are drawn to the services both firms offer,” he said. “We had additional space at our premises and asked Cooke & Arkwright to find suitable occupiers. It is a bonus that this has turned out to be a business that harmonises so well with ours.”
Cardiff Pool and Spa provides a full design, installation and maintenance service for new pools, as well as refurbishing old pools. Pools may be above or in-ground, timber framed, fibreglass or traditional construction. It is also one of only a handful of UK dealers selected to sell and install Endless Pools nationwide. Sometimes called a ‘Treadmill for Swimmers, these exercise swimming pools allow people to swim all year round by creating an adjustable current that provides a concentrated workout without the need for turning and pushing off.
“Swimming is the perfect all round exercise,” said Mr Evans. “Endless Pools have proved very popular as they are adaptable, affordable and easily installed in most places.”
Pictured l to r: Rhys Blake and Tom Thomas of Aquabatic, Peter Evans of Cardiff Pool & Spa and Jeremy Symons, Cooke & Arkwright