Theo heads to Wimbledon BookFest to talk all things retail

On Wednesday 10th October Theo headed to Wimbledon BookFest on Wimbledon Common for an interview with James Ashton to talk about the current retail environment and the future of the high street. In a location very well known to Theo, who regularly walks his dog Gladys on the Common, a beautifully lit stage greeted a packed audience full of local businesses and members of Merton Chamber. As the TPRG head office is just down the hill, some colleagues came along to hear Theo’s view on the latest news in retail.

James Ashton, a journalist who has been City Editor and Executive Editor of the London Evening Standard and before that City Editor of the Sunday Times, questioned Theo on the current retail climate, business rates and even took him on a trip down memory lane to where his passion for retail started, as a school boy running a tuck shop!

Brexit and politicians were also a key topic of the evening, with Theo commenting on the current confusion around Brexit and how politicians seem to be more interested in their careers than getting the job done!

After the interview, it was opened up to the floor where Theo was asked about the importance of the local community for business and how to attract the right candidates for jobs.

Wimbledon BookFest is a charity promoting arts, culture and education. Its aim is to develop the cultural offering for the local community through provision of an annual arts festival and educational projects with schools and young people.