This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Callum MacPherson, managing director of Sew Centre, Barnyarns and The Sewing Group – all based in Melmerby, near Ripon.

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

We're an online retailer for sewing machines, threads, haberdashery and accessories, and we also run a nationwide repair service.

What does it take to be successful in business?

I think you need the correct outlook with regard to the vision you have.

For me, that means integrity, honesty, and good-quality products. If you have all that, the rest follows.

I'm still only in my twenties, but I've found that by following these principles, everything works. And now that so much business is done online, I think they're becoming ever more important.

Also, I'm very aware that our success is not down to just me – we have a fantastic team, and that's absolutely fundamental to any successful business.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

This industry is often overlooked, but I see so much potential in it. I'm really passionate about the business, and have a vision for it, and my drive comes from wanting to make that vision happen.

Also, because we're a small family firm, I want everyone in my team to do well, and if we have a strong core business, that gives them the opportunity to do well too.

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

The most challenging element of the business since covid has been the adjustment of consumer behaviour.

Our customers tend to be very bricks-and-mortar by character – they like to see what they're buying – but we're transitioning to an online model, and that presents some challenges. 

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

Slingsby Gin is absolutely fantastic. For a relatively young business, they're truly inspirational. They've got a very loyal customer base, and their brand impact has been amazing.

Their business model is very like ours, with an in-store showroom, online presence and exhibitions. They also do tasting sessions, which you could say is the equivalent in our business of the workshops and classes we run.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

Philip Barker, the owner of HRH Group, which owns the Yorkshire Hotel, the White Hart Hotel and the Fat Badger in Harrogate.

The way he transitioned through covid and dealt with the issues it presented was quite remarkable. I've got a lot of respect for him.

In today's business climate, being able to deal with adversity is the only way you'll survive.

What could be done locally to boost business?

We need to completely reincentivise and rejuvenate our town centres. Growing up in Harrogate, for example, I saw it thrive as a bustling destination with lots of independent shops.

But since then, it's been made so difficult for businesses to continue trading in the centre of town.

They need to get rates down and put on more events. There has to be a pull for consumers to come to the area, and independent business make Harrogate a destination.

We've got a massive showroom at Melmerby, but we'd absolutely open a showroom in Harrogate too if it was financially viable.

It's the same story in Ripon – we're not attracting enough businesses into the area, and we need to invest in anything that generates more interest.

From a regeneration point of view, if Ripon got its railway link back, that would be a game-changer.

Best and worst things about running a business from Melmerby?

The best thing is the transport connections. We're right by the A1(M), so from here, we can serve customers in the North, Scotland, Hull and the North West, as well the South. It works the other way too – this is definitely a destination people are happy to come to, especially since we have plenty of parking too.

The downside is that even though bricks-and-mortar stores are in decline, we've got to have a physical presence to let people touch and feel the products. It would be good to have a presence in Harrogate town centre.

What are your business plans for the future?

This is a growth industry, and I'm very excited about the opportunities there are. 

Our brand is very strong because of the loyalty of our customers, and that's down to our customer service. We want to continue that and make our business the biggest and best of its kind in the UK.

What do you like to do in your time off?

I like to play golf and padel, and watch motorsport and football.

Best places to eat and drink locally? 

I'm lucky enough to be a member at Rudding Park golf club, and I love going to Horto, the fine-dining restaurant there. It's a rare treat of new tastes and new experiences.

I think Pranzo on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate is the best for Italian food – it's fresh and authentic.

We're fans of Brio's [on King's Road in Harrogate] – the owner's great – and the Fat Badger is a classic. It's always got the best beers on tap, and it's the best place to drink in the summer.