Our Story
Goldfish Property traces its roots back to 1967, as a start-up rubber business located in a spare room in a Nottinghamshire village. Initially a manufacturing enterprise, it evolved into an import wholesale business trading between the UK and Far East.
Over the years, that business grew and transformed to include commercial property and self-storage. All businesses in the portfolio are still owned within the Fisher family. The family name has been preserved in Goldfish Property and in Kingfisher, Bonningtons’ best-known brand. This is the story of how the business developed, and how Goldfish Property got to where it is now.
1960s – humble beginnings in Sutton Bonnington
Paul Fisher established Bonnington Rubber Products in 1967: working from a small, disused bakehouse at the back of his aunt and uncle’s village shop in Sutton Bonnington, Nottinghamshire. The business initially specialised in rubber products for commercial vehicles. According to Fisher “the humble mudflap determined our early growth”. By the end of the decade, larger premises were required and, in 1969, Fisher purchased the old Co-Op shop on Bollards Lane, Sutton Bonnington, and the three adjoining cottages.
1970s – the growth of Bonningtons
The 1970s was a decade of quick growth. The first full-time employee joined at the turn of the decade, and Paul’s wife Marilyn joined to run the accounts department. During the 70s the business began expanding, purchasing a converted stocking factory in Long Whatton, Leicestershire, and renting additional storage space in Loughborough. A plastics business was also established which began extruding plastic tubing and making household items, especially garden hose. In 1979, the businesses were consolidated under one company that is now known as Bonnington Plastics.
1980s and 90s – expansion into importing
By 1980, revenues were above £1.5 million per year. Bonningtons began selling home and garden products under the Kingfisher brand, regularly presenting at the UK’s National Exhibition Centre. In 1988, the company purchased 22,000 square feet of office, manufacturing and warehouse space at Castle Donnington in Derbyshire – later adding an additional 6,000 square foot warehouse to the site. Throughout the 90s, the company began to reduce its UK manufacturing business and increased its imports from the Far East.
2000s and 2010s – pivoting towards property
Bonningtons made the decision to end manufacturing in Britain in 2004, eventually wrapping this up in 2008. This year also saw the sale of the Castle Donnington site and the retirement of both Paul and Marilyn Fisher. As the company entered the 2010s, a pivot was made into property – with Goldfish Property incorporated in 2013 and acquiring Bonnington Plastics in 2017. Throughout the 2010s numerous properties were purchased in Nottingham and elsewhere, such as 9 Glaisdale Parkway, Nottingham.
2020s – a diversified business with a bright future
Today, Goldfish Property has a substantial portfolio of warehouses mainly in the north-east corner of the Golden Triangle of UK logistics, with a particular focus around Nottingham. Whilst property is now the core of what Goldfish Property does, the business retains its import wholesale and Far East businesses, and remains a diversified international business group. The recent launch of Myownspace.com shows that the company continues to grow and explore new opportunities.
We have a long-standing relationship with Goldfish Property, providing legal advice across its portfolio and covering a broad range of situations. It’s a nimble and highly responsive firm, which is also remarkable for its meticulous approach, lucid communication and robust ethics.Erin Manning, Partner (Commercial Property), Knights plc