How long have you been in retail and what made you guys get into it?

ARK started as a club night in 1992 and we originally opened the store to sell tickets and tapes from. We had some ARK Ts printed up, then some more Ts, then some jackets and it went on and on …

If you were not doing this interview what would you be doing right now?

Electrician and flower shop owner

What’s a common misconception about Arc?

That it ’s spelt with a "c" !!

Tradeshows - a nightmare or a nice weekend away. Do you attend them?

Well being married, we get to have a nice weekend away together (sic)...

One item you just couldn't keep in stock this season from both mens and ladies offerings?

Superdry Osaka 6 T Shirts and Butterfly dresses

Whats the biggest challenge to ArK going forward?

Maintaining our independent status. A lot of the bland multiple retailers copy everything we do so we have to constantly change and move forward.

Whats the biggest opportunity for Ark going forward?

The internet is a big growth area, as is the development of our own brand next year.

Whats the funniest thing you’ve been asked for at the store but didn't stock?

Tatoos, candles, stationary – the list is endless!

An ideal day running Ark involves what exactly? Could you give us a typical example?

Meeting suppliers at looking at new products, merchandising a store, looking at new sites, arguing with brands over distribution issues (!)

What music beats would we hear or definitely NOT hear on your shopfloor?

ARK comes from a music backround so we like to feel we are very clued up. Ricky from Kaiser Chiefs worked for us for 3 years before becoming famous !!

I’m about to open a store - any words of wisdom or some closing thoughts ?

Stick to your own goals and don’t become distracted by others.