A Manchester pet and aquatic store with the distinctive name of Gay-Lyfe is to close after being in business for more than 50 years with the internet and changing shopping habits being blamed for the move.

"Things have changed over the years,” owner Mark Bootes told the Manchester Eveing News. “Kids used to have pets and now they have iPads. A lot of people in the area don't keep pets any more. That’s one of the reasons why we’re closing.”

The pet and aquatic store in Levenshulme was first opened by George and Norma Ormrod in 1965 before their nephew, Mark Bootes, joined the business in 1980.

It sold animals of all shapes and sizes, but it was tropical fish where Mark carved out a niche for the business.

"When we announced we were closing on Facebook, a lot of people said ‘oh I used to go there’. But that’s exactly it, people used to come to us but now they go elsewhere or buy online.”

Though the shop is closing Mark will continue to import tropical fish from around the world with his colleague, James Best.

To read the full Manchester Evening News report click here

Picture taken from Gay-Life’s Facebook page.