A FAMILY-RUN business which has been trading in Blackburn for more than 20 years has been put on the market for £1.5million.

Aquatics and pet store Aquamania was opened by Ashley Cook in 1994 and moved to its base in Higher Audley Street in 2009.

Bosses insisted there are no plans to close the store, which has an annual turnover of around £600,000.

The 28,000 sqft premises used to form part of Tommy Ball’s shoe empire.

It now supplies pet food, accessories, medication, live animals and aquatics with extra income coming from renting car parking spaces.

Mr Cook said he originally put it up for sale 15 months ago.

He said: “If someone made me an offer I couldn’t refuse I would take it.

“There are no plans to close it down.

“The building is a big space and if someone made me an offer I would love to relocate but I am not planning to disappear.

“There are also opportunities to rent space. We have got 16,000 sqft available to rent.”

Mr Cook, 48, who owns other properties, said he has no plans to retire.

“I love the aquatics business. They would have to take me out in a wooden box before I retire,” he said.

“Two of my daughters work with me. It is a family-run business.”

He said they did have problems 15 months ago due to roadworks for the Pennine Reach project but business has recovered and they are expecting a good year.

“It has been busy over the last couple of months and we are looking to take on extra staff,” he said.

“Everyone is welcome over the Easter holidays."