This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Steve Elvidge, owner of Space Harrogate, the vintage shop on The Ginnel in Harrogate.

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

Space Harrogate sells vintage clothing, retro homeware and mid-century furniture. We only sell vintage items, so it's entirely sustainable.

What does it require to be successful in business?

You've to have a niche, and a plan, and think about what people actually want – pay attention to your customer experience. I recognised early on that Harrogate is not a student town, so we have to appeal to everybody.

You'll also need determination to get you through the lean times.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

I've been doing this for 15 years – longer than I've ever done anything else. I've just kept to the original plan and I've never got bored of it. 

A lot of people say 'no two days are ever the same' in their job, but with mine it really is true – every day is different. Somebody brought in a 1950s barber's chair today. That's not happened before.

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

People don't have much money – it's as simple as that. I can't claim to sell anything that people can't do without, so we tend to feel it.

Having said that, I don't think we've suffered as much as some other businesses you could mention.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

You've got to admire people like Bettys. They don't do anything that other people couldn't do, but they've really established themselves and do a great job for Harrogate.

I like Mama Doreen's too. They're selling a similar kind of thing, but it's a very different proposition in terms of how it looks and feels.

I'd also give a shout out to all the independents too – they do a great job.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

I don't know of any individuals I'd mention, but Harrogate BID [business improvement district] seem to do a good job, and Harrogate Convention Centre brings lots of people to the town.

Best and worst things about running a business from Harrogate?

The best thing is that Harrogate has avoided the worst of the economic downturn. It's not immune, but if you go to a lot of other places it's much worse.

The worst thing is that there doesn't seem to be much appetite to redevelop Debenhams or the old council offices. You'd think the council would step in and do something really interesting.

It would be good to see some social element to it. We're not short of big houses or luxury apartments, but we are really short of affordable places where teachers, firefighters and hospital staff can live. They'd bring a bit of life into the town centre.

What are your business plans for the future?

I'm just going to keep on keeping on. We're regarded as one of the best vintage stores in the country, and it's pointless to change a winning formula.

What do you like to do in your time off?

My time off is often eaten up doing things that are shop-related, such as auctions, house clearances and delivering things. That's not a complaint – it's just part of the job.

Best place to eat and drink locally?

I've got to say Major Tom's Social, directly above us. They do the best pizzas in town.

I like Paradise Tap & Tacos too, and Spice Culture is good quality and a little bit different.4

The Drum and Monkey is another good independent. Harrogate's very rich in that social culture, and these businesses all help to bring people into the town.

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.