Anyone know what this shrub is, please?

Mistwalker

It currently stands about 6 ft tall and has lots of nasty-looking thorns about 15 mm long. Not sure if I want to keep it.




Thanks in advance.

Borderline

Looks like Berberis Thunbergii Atropurpurea.

Guernsey Donkey2

Yes, you are right Borderline.  We have one - not the nicest of shrubs - I keep it mainly for the colour. We try to prune the shrub (without too much injury) each autumn - hence the fresh looking foliage

Mistwalker

Thanks guys. Much appreciated as always. I may well get rid of it as I'm not a huge fan.

Hostafan1

I thought it looked beefier than thunbergii. More like B. ottwensis superba.

Dovefromabove

Not the most beautiful maybe but a wonderful shrub to have near a bird feeder as it provides safe shelter from predators such as sparrow hawks who often swoop down onto  small birds as they congregate around a feeding station. 
And the autumn colour is great. I'm a fan 

Mistwalker

Now you've done it, Hostafan1. You've opened up a debate. I agree, it does look like it could be that, too.

It's a good point about the Sparrow Hawks. We have a lot of those around here. Well some kind of bird of prey, anyway. Someone said they may be Kites of some kind. Something to consider.

Thanks guys.

Hostafan1

It's difficult, from the photos to get a proper idea of scale, but I'm still going with B. O. Superba.