The Aquatic Room

Mark Whitworth

Mark has been a fish keeper since the age of 5, by the age of 10 he had advanced into breeding cichlids. Whilst at school Mark spent what little allowance he had on buying different types of tropical fish from small guppies to giant Oscars. During his teenage years, living with his parents, Mark went to college to study business as well as working a 20 hour week at night. This enabled Mark to keep seven fish tanks in his bedroom, the largest being 5 foot long. Back then his brackish water tank was his favourite, keeping marines was still unheard of.

Owning The Reptile Room, one of the largest reptile stores in the North West, Mark has already successfully taken a hobby and transformed it into a thriving business. 2008 was The Reptile Rooms fourth year in business and the shop is already on its third expansion! The Reptile Room now boasts over 250 fantastic displays. Finally all Marks hard work has paid off for him, with the combination of great staff and good time management, Mark now has more free time and can finally get back into fish keeping.
Mark feels that a lot of the local fish stores have taken liberties with customers good intentions and that it's about time customers were fully supported and given the chance to take fish keeping to the highest enjoyable level.

Mark lives with the love of his life, Theresa, and his two daughters, Sophie (13) and Amber (17 months). Mark has spent the last year renovating their home to give them the best quality of life he can. In reality Mark can't even use a hammer let alone renovate a house, so basically he's had mates help him. Over the years, whilst working with reptiles, Mark has made some great friends.
A couple of them he must mention are Mark Alcock, his tech guy and good friend, and Dean Turner (just someone who gives him constant abuse and who is now his aquatic business partner.) With these guys backing this new aquatic venture Mark feels it will be a credit for him just to be involved. As Mark often says - he's just living the dream!