This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Gill Edwards, co-owner with her husband Simon of the Little Ripon Bookshop on Westgate in Ripon.

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

We sell a large selection of books for adults and children – we have more than 8,000 titles in stock.

Our aim is to keep books alive on the high street in Ripon.

What does it take to be successful in business?

You have to have a passion for what you're doing, and a commitment to your customers.

If you're in retail, you have to be there when your customers expect you to be there – you have to be open when they want you to be open.

It takes hard work and dedication, but you have to bring some fun into it too.

You also need a good team behind you of equally enthusiastic people.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

I love books! Is that too obvious? I love to make them look attractive in a retail space.

I also love interacting with customers. Seeing people reading and enjoying books – especially children – gives me so much enjoyment.

I've been doing this for 16 years now, but I still find unpacking a box of books so exciting. This is a great job to have.

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

It wasn't great when the council closed Market Place in November. It's hard to take when someone does something that affects your business so badly, but that you can't do anything about. We're sometimes in the hands of other people, and it's hard to plan for that.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

We're right next door to Valentino's, and what Rick's done to that place over the last few years is extraordinary.

I love the energy at Oliver's Pantry, and Storehouse Kitchen and Bar gets it right all the time. I'm really glad those businesses exist.

I also love Ripon Tennis Centre. It's a little bit overlooked, but it's excellent and I use it quite a lot.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

Ripon's new mayor, Jackie Crozier [the founder of Little Bird Markets]. I don't know her, but I think she's really trying to something with the markets in Ripon. She brings some dynamism to the city and she really seems to know what she's doing.

What could be done locally to boost business?

Totally selfishly, I think we're missing some event spaces and arts venues. If I invited a big author for an event, I would struggle to find somewhere that could comfortably hold 150-200 people.

Best and worst things about running a business from Ripon?

The best thing is our lovely customers – we get huge support from people and we really appreciate that.

Ripon BID [business improvement district], run by Lilla [Bathurst], tries to get things going in the city and is a very positive thing.

The worst thing might be that Ripon lacks a very well developed creative arts scene. 

The Theatre Festival does a good job, but there are other things that could happen that would show a vibrant sense of creativity, and it would be lovely to see the city become a bit more artsy.

What are your business plans for the future?

I just want to stay here. We don't have any big expansion plans, but I would like the shop to still be here in 10 years' time, with people coming into buy their children books.

I just want us to keep on doing what we're doing, but always trying to do it better.

What do you like to do in your time off?

I read! I also play tennis, see friends, and go out for dinner. I'm quite dull, actually!

Best places to eat and drink locally?

Storehouse Kitchen has a fabulous restaurant and the bar is also wonderful.

I love lunch at Oliver's, and if I want a pizza, it has to be Valentino's.

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.