AcolocA Ltd, registered in England No. 05224283, in 2004 was created to formalise and expand the operations of the Family Boat Shop™ FBS which had been a trading name of Lawrence Spiller since 2001.
FBS negotiated the UK distribution rights of Pelican International inc, a Canadian manufacture of canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and dinghies. Pelican also indicated that a recently acquired and better established brand in the UK would eventually be included in the arrangement.
When launched at the Canoe Show at the NEC Birmingham in the same year, FBS had been conceived as a wholesale distributor and internet retailer. The retail portfolio was strengthened by adding Dag kayaks, imported from France, rowboats and sailing dinghies from Heyland Marine and Baltic lifejackets to name a few.
Being based in the South or England, distribution to the North and Scotland proved problematic; especially for a part-time business.
A joint venture importing miniature speedboats from China got into difficulty when the quality of the boats delivered did not match expectations. The stock was sold-off for conversion to electric rental boats in France. Also from China, the import of fishing rods fell foul of a trade-mark oversight and all stock was gifted to a fishing charity.
The serious problem came from a reorganisation at Pelican that caused the loss of our ability to wholesale their canoes. We quickly switched to Mohawk Canoes imported from the USA. These were a superior more expensive product competing in the much tighter middle market with lower volumes.
This and the financial crisis impacting demand, led to a decision to de-stock and not renew the lease on the Yorkshire Outdoor Superstore pending improved trading conditions and a better location. The main stock was supplied to another retailer for clearance on Sale-or-Return but market conditions put them into administration. Structural changes in the market and an uninsured fire destroying the remaining stock and stored fixtures and fittings, caused the indefinite postponement of re-opening. Meanwhile AcolocA Ltd has been researching other suitable enterprises for investment.
On 20th May 2016, Lawrence had his first experience flight in a gyroplane having seen one perform a few weeks earlier at the Abingdon Airshow and is now a qualified PPL(G) pilot. His YouTube channel is here.
The incorporation as AcolocA Ltd allowed the appointment and delegation to a full-time manager who also benefited from being a qualified instructor and coach at national competition level. At this time a retail warehouse in Doncaster was leased and AcolocA traded from here as the “Yorkshire Outdoor Superstore”.
We extended the franchise by adding “Future Beach” pedal boats and kayaks, also manufactured in Canada selling them under the “AcolocA Beach” brand.
We further acquired the “Fear Gear” internet shop which specialised in climbing equipment and outdoor wear; giving it a bricks-and-mortar presence in our superstore.
