About Us
One of the UK’s leading online aquatics retailers, AllPondSolutions offers an extensive range of high-quality pond and aquarium products at budget-friendly prices.
But what is the story behind the business, and how did it grow to achieve its position in the aquatics marketplace?
2006
The business was founded by Brett Owen while he was recovering from major surgery and grieving the loss of two close family members. Looking back, he credits his passion for fishkeeping as a key part of his healing process during that difficult time.
Feeling inspired, Brett analysed the aquatics marketplace and quickly identified a gap. Many products available at the time were low quality and poor value for money, presenting a clear opportunity. He began developing his vision for AllPondSolutions as a go-to online retailer for fishkeepers.
In its infancy, products were sold via eBay and shipped from a small family garage in Hayes, Middlesex. The first employees were Brett’s mum, who worked with the business for over 15 years until her retirement, and a friend from his school days.
2007
Early sales volumes were encouraging, achieved with a small range of pond products. As the customer base grew, demand increased for a broader offering, and aquarium products were introduced. The business began its rapid expansion, evolving into an early version of what it is today.
2008
Alongside products from established brands, the first own-branded products were developed and added to the growing inventory. This marked a major turning point, with an increasing number of products selected for in-house development under the AllPondSolutions brand.
The first AllPondSolutions website was also launched, giving the business a distinct online presence beyond eBay.
2010
Hard work and dedication were paying off, and rapid growth led to the move into the first warehouse, a 3,800 sq. ft. unit in Hayes, West London.
At this stage, a small team of four covered product research and procurement, customer service, and warehouse dispatch.
2011
To accommodate continued expansion, the business relocated to a larger 13,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Stockley Park, West London.
2013
Brett’s sister, Charlie, joined the team. Despite its growth and increasing presence in the market, the business remained firmly rooted as a family-run company.
2014
A further major expansion saw another relocation to a 23,000 sq. ft. office and warehouse facility in Uxbridge, West London. Our 10 year plan to outgrow this facility happened quicker than anyone expected!
Alongside the relocation, the website was redesigned and the AllPondSolutions branding was refreshed.
2015
For the first time, the business attended the UK aquatics trade show, AQUA, providing an opportunity to showcase the AllPondSolutions product range and connect with others in the industry. This proved to be a valuable experience.
Digital scanning technology was also introduced in the warehouse, improving efficiency and helping ensure orders were processed quickly and accurately.
2016
With the goal of becoming a true one-stop online shop, a livestock room was introduced at the Uxbridge site, and AllPondSolutions began selling fish and plants.
2018
A new website was launched to enhance the customer experience, including the introduction of a Live Chat feature for real-time support and advice.
The business continued to grow, with the customer service team doubling in size and total employee numbers reaching 24.
Most notably, 2018 marked a significant milestone with the launch of the sister brand, AllPetSolutions (www.allpetsolutions.co.uk). With the same commitment to quality and service, the product range expanded to include pet essentials such as dog beds, leads, cat furniture, litter, and more.
2019
With increased order volumes across two brands, it became clear that livestock sales were diverting focus from core product ranges. The decision was made to refocus on what the business does best, offering high-quality pond, aquarium, and pet products at affordable prices, supported by excellent customer service. Livestock sales were therefore discontinued.
This decision proved successful, with AllPondSolutions being shortlisted in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 ‘Ones to Watch’ league table.
2020
The global COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruption, but unexpectedly led to a significant increase in demand. With more time spent at home, customers invested more in their pets and aquatic setups.
Fortunately, the business was well-positioned, with a fully stocked warehouse just before the pandemic began. As an online retailer, AllPondSolutions and AllPetSolutions were able to continue operating 24/7 while many physical stores were closed.
Order volumes doubled, and the team expanded to 43 employees, marking the most rapid period of growth in the company’s history.
2021
The business experienced continued strong performance during the second year of the pandemic but faced challenges due to rising global shipping costs and supply chain disruption.
Thanks to its strong foundations, the business remained resilient and successfully navigated these challenges.
2022
Like many businesses, this was a year of recovery. Sales remained steady, with a focus on clearing excess stock accumulated during the pandemic. Despite rising costs, the business made a conscious decision not to pass price increases onto customers.
Management attention shifted towards a major reset, including a full redesign of the operating model.
During this time, Brett experienced a further health scare but thankfully made a swift recovery and returned to lead the business through these changes.
2023
A transformative year, with the successful implementation of a new operating model. Key developments included:
- Migration to a new order processing system
- Introduction of a new inventory management system
- Launch of new websites for both brands
- Introduction of a subscription service for repeat orders
- Launch of a loyalty rewards programme
- Implementation of ‘back in stock’ alerts
- Launch of a returns and exchanges portal
- Introduction of order tracking
- Expansion of customer service availability and support
These improvements resulted in a more efficient, streamlined business and a significantly enhanced customer experience, reflected in improved reviews and ratings.
2026 — A Modern Business Transformation
Over the past three years, the business has undergone a significant transformation, evolving into a dynamic and fully remote operation with no fixed office facility.
This shift has allowed AllPondSolutions to streamline its structure and focus on delivering the highest standards across every area of the business. By partnering with leading agencies and specialists, key functions such as marketing, customer service, logistics, and advertising are now supported by experts in their respective fields.
A best-in-class logistics centre manages stock holding and order fulfilment, ensuring fast, accurate dispatch and consistently reliable delivery through trusted courier partners. A dedicated core team, working remotely, continue to oversee operations and maintain quality, despite the absence of a traditional office environment.
This modern, flexible approach enables the business to operate more efficiently, remain agile, and continue delivering the best possible experience for customers.
Alongside this, we are increasing our focus on developing products and expanding our ranges to better support all customer setups, while continuing to source high-quality solutions globally to meet evolving customer needs.
Today and Beyond
Celebrating 20 years in business, AllPondSolutions has been built on the dedication of a passionate team and the continued support of loyal customers, both of which remain at the heart of our success.
We are an innovative and growing company within the aquatics industry, supplying a wide range of products including pond pumps, filters, aquariums, and accessories, delivered directly to our customers’ doors.
Remarkably, we still sell many items from our original 2006 product range, a testament to their enduring quality and value.
Looking ahead, our mission is to continue evolving our product offering to better serve every type of fishkeeper and pet owner. We are committed to expanding our ranges to accommodate all setups, from beginners to experienced enthusiasts, ensuring we remain a true one-stop destination.
A key focus for the years to come is the continued development of our own products, alongside sourcing high-quality solutions from around the world to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers. By combining innovation, research, and customer feedback, we aim to deliver products that offer both exceptional performance and outstanding value.
As both experts and enthusiasts, we remain as passionate about ponds, fishkeeping, and pets as the customers we serve.
We understand how important it is to receive your orders quickly and safely, which is why we take great care in packaging and proudly offer free next-day delivery across mainland UK.