This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly. This week, we spoke to Gary Cooper, owner of Castlegate Books in Knaresborough.

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

We're an independent bookshop which sells new books, maps, greetings cards and jigsaws, and we also sell and redeem National Book Tokens.

What does it take to be successful in business?

You've got to do your preparation and find the right location for your business, especially if you're in retail.

After that, it's all about customer service and giving people a good range of books to choose from.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

I enjoy what I do, which helps. I tend to be a self-starter anyway, so it's never hard to find the motivation.

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

The cost of living, of course, but also Black Friday can have a big impact. The delivery firms are inundated, and that has a knock-on effect. So whereas deliveries to the shop are usually next day, around Black Friday they can take 48 hours.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

It would feel wrong to single any one business out, to be honest – I wouldn't want to say.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

Knaresborough Town Football Club are doing well for a team of their size. I don't know who's behind that success, but I'll say them.

What could be done locally to boost business?

Knaresborough's biggest problem is that a lot of people just aren't aware that it's here, so anything that would raise its profile among the tourist bosses who are responsible for sending tourists to Yorkshire would be good.

We get a lot of people dropping in from all over the world, but they come in by chance.

I think maybe Knaresborough people don't realise they needn't be so much in Harrogate's shadow.

Best and worst things about running a business from Knaresborough?

It's such a nice town to be in, and there's a really good mix of people who come to visit – from South America, China, South East Asia and beyond.

The worst thing is the parking, which sometimes puts people off coming here.

What are your business plans for the future?

In the short term, we're just focused on the road to Christmas now.

Next year, we're looking to put on more events. We hold regular book signings by local authors, and we want to do more of that going into spring. We're always looking to expand our reach.

What do you like to do in your time off?

I'm quite active. I'm a runner, and I try to get out a few times a week, although I go out less often when the weather's bad.

In the summer, I play baseball for Leeds Locos at Wharfe Meadows Park in Otley.

Best places to eat and drink locally?

I like to go to the Smiths Arms at Beckwithshaw – they do an excellent Sunday dinner.

For a drink, there are plenty of nice pubs in Knaresborough. I like Blind Jack's in Knaresborough for the atmosphere.

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. 

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