As a well-known businessman in the Otley community, we were delighted when Alan Sowden of Sowdens Plumbers Merchants agreed to step up as one of our directors, to share his years of commercial knowledge, expertise and to volunteer his time to helping Otley to be a wonderful place to work, live and visit.
1. Tell us a bit about your business (past & present)
2. Why did you join the Otley BID board of directors?
The decision to join the BID came following my long-term involvement with the Chamber of Trade having served as President in 2014 and being a ‘BID Champion’ when the BID was being proposed. I felt that I had something I could ‘bring to the table‘ as it were.
3. What’s your favourite thing to do in Otley?
My favourite thing I like to do in Otley is best described by a saying, which was said to me many years ago – I like to wander into town and ‘Lick the steam off the shop windows’.
I often go into town with no particular purpose, but I generally meet someone doing the same and we swap gossip.
4. What BID activities are you involved with?
Having only recently joined the BID team, I’ve not yet been active on any projects. However, I am working with the team on the objective of getting the BID re-elected.
5. What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
I was given this advice over 40 years ago and I’ve stood by it ever since – ‘Give your best price first and stick to it’!
If you reduce your price when challenged, your customer can assume you looked to overcharge them initially.
6. Tell us a secret!
A secret? Then it would not be a secret would it?