This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Olly Smith, managing director of Smiths of Harrogate, and the fifth generation of his family to lead the firm, which was formerly known as Smiths - The Rink.

Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does.

We sell luxury furniture and flooring, and we deliver everything ourselves. We provide traditional service with a modern approach.

What does it take to be successful in business?

Understanding what customers are looking for, and maintaining that factor that's kept people coming for years.

We're always looking for new things, but never depart from what we do well.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

I've got a genuine love for the industry – I like selling nice things to nice people.

This business was founded by my great-great-grandfather, Frederick Smith, in 1906 and it moved to its current home in 1930. This building used to belong to the railways and was then used as a rollerskating rink. Everyone then knew this place as 'the rink', and that's why our company was called Smiths - The Rink, until we changed it two or three years ago.

I've taken the business over from my father, Nick, and uncle, Richard – although they still work here – and the heritage of Smiths of Harrogate is something I want to carry on for many years.

What’s been the toughest issue your business has had to deal with over the last 12 months?

The biggest change has been our change of identity, and trying to get the local market to understand what we do now. We were always known for antiques, but that's something we don't do anymore.

We sell beautiful wooden furniture from the UK, Germany and Denmark, our selection of sofas is huge, and our bed department is pretty special.

The change of name to Smiths of Harrogate was part of a brand relaunch to say 'this is what we do now'.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

Woods Fine Linens have done a very good job. They're a family firm with a very defined identity. Like us, they're traditional, but function in a modern way.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

Absolutely no-one comes to mind, to be honest!

What could be done locally to boost business?

Harrogate has a very good name nationally, and I feel a lot of organisations are doing a lot to promote Harrogate.

But much of the time, these efforts focus on the hospitality industry, and I think we should perhaps do more to promote the wider district. Harrogate's the hub, but there's a lot to do and see beyond the town centre.

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Best and worst things about running a business from Harrogate?

The best thing is the town itself – the heritage of the Harrogate brand, which I think we contribute to. The independent side is strong too, making the town more individual.

The worst? I'm not really a negative person. I try to see the positive in things.

What are your business plans for the future?

I want to continue to invest in this building here. We're forever changing – this shop looked different even six months ago.

We've invested heavily in digitising the business, and I also want to carry on that process, in administration and logistics. Deliveries is one side of the business that's still done on paper. It works, so it's not exactly 'broken', but it is something we're looking to change.

What do you like to do in your time off?

Cycling. That's our family thing – we all cycle. We're quite an active family, and we go for lots of walks too.

Best places to eat and drink locally?

It depends who I'm with! If I'm with my family, I like to go to Brio because it has a really good family atmosphere and the food is excellent. Alternatively, Pizza Social, because it has a really relaxed atmosphere and serves great pizzas. They're both independents too, which is nice.

If you know someone in business in the Harrogate district and you'd like to suggest them for this feature, drop us a line at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.