Hobby of keeping tropical fish which became a business for 34 years
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A HOBBY "which went wild" turned into a business which lasted 34 years.
Derek McLennan, owner of D & I Tropicals in Lossiemouth, will retire on November 27.
Derek (65) had kept fish himself for many years and before taking the plunge into business he had been a semi-skilled labourer at Forsyths in Rothes.
"I couldn't get locally what I was looking for fishwise, so I thought one of these days I am going to open up my own and I did.
"I bought it over from two guys in 1988 who had run it a year."
The pet shop was originally in Queen Street, but within a year Derek had rented new premises in King Street which is where the business remains today.
"It's changed dramatically over the years due to supermarkets starting to sell pet accessories. When I first started it was a full pet shop, budgies and all sorts and then came along the Internet and your chain stores.
"It has always been getting tougher and tougher each year to try and get your slice of the pie, so to speak.
"Meeting customers and helping folk get set up the right way," have been the biggest thrills from running his own business for so long.
"You build up good friendships with your customers over the years."
And, of course, Derek just loves owning fish.
"You get a lot of pleasure and calm," he said. "That's why they put them in doctors surgeries, they have a calming influence because people just love looking at fish.
"You don't have to walk fish either," he joked.
He has also enjoyed being his own boss.
"For 34 years I have never had that horrible feeling of having work to go to, I have always enjoyed coming in. You can't put a price on that, enjoyment with what you do."
In the current climate Derek admitted it was difficult to find a buyer for the business, so he will shut the doors for the final time to the public on Sunday, November 27.
Before then, he is selling off stock and giving customers helpful advice.
Derek plans to do a lot of cycling in his retirement, spending more time with wife Val and their two grandchildren.
