| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 24/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 70 |
| Copyright: Other |
Fish bob out in face of Jaws attack
HOLIDAY Hypermarkets managing director John Donnelly has fallen foul of animal rights campaigners with the opening of his latest store in Sheffield.Donnelly, famed for entertaining clients with attractions in his shops, has installed an enormous fish tank stocked with tropical fish.
Every 25mins, the lights go down, music from the film Jaws comes on and sharks appear on an illuminated screen behind the tank. The terrified tropical fish immediately scarper out of the way.
The attraction has proved a big hit with customers but has led to complaints from animal rights groups, which claim the fish are being traumatised. Donnelly refuses to take the complaints seriously.
“We’re innovative and it’s a bit of fun,” he joked. “I would like to use real sharks in future. A couple of the fish have died. One was called Bob, well he is now, anyway.”
The story confused a local newspaper reporter, who said to Donnelly: “Let’s get this right, there’s a fish tank and tropical fish and there’s sharks and you’re a travel agent in Sheffield?
“That’s right,” came the dead-pan reply.
Donnelly said Sheffield has immediately become its second biggest seller out of 25 shops, so look out for more whacky attractions in the near future.
Munch bunch: sharking takes on a whole new meaning in Sheffield