STRAP
Cheryl Taylor talks to Andrea Afrifa of Stampede, Tunbridge Wells, Kent Q&A:
Name: Andrea Afrifa Shop: Stampede
Brands: Start-rite, Ricosta, Geox, Petasil, Converse, Skechers, Lelli Kelly, Superfit, Noel, Ralph, Lauren, Crocs, Garvalin, Kickers, Emu, Primigi.
Home town: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Family: Married to Baf Afrifa, 3 children Isaac (11) Leon (8) Audrey (3)
How did you get into footwear? Tell us about your background and your current business? The pinnacle of my career to date is having been a founder member and
shareholder of the restaurant booking website
toptable.com in London, after years of retail: from sales assistant in Debenhams to running Duty Free concessions on cruise ships worldwide and more. On moving to Tunbridge Wells and still commuting into London I wanted to be able to run something
Where are your premises located and how many people do you employ? Do you have a high turnover of staff? Tell us about your shop, the local area, your customers and their requirements? In 2014 we celebrate 10 years of Stampede. We are located on the A26
which is the main road into Tunbridge Wells if you are coming in from London. We are 10 minutes walk from the centre of town on a small parade which includes a deli, cafe, kiddies pottery painting and newsagents.
We have a well-heeled brigade of customers who are looking for
something a cut-above from what is on offer in the High Street. They come to us for a professional yet friendly and fun service and the choice of European styles we offer as well as a school shoe department on the mezzanine level of the shop.
I have 7 staff on my books currently. A couple of full-timers which includes my manager and part-timers.
I tend to start staff from the age of 16 onwards from the local grammar school and they stay with me throughout their studies and also when they go off to uni I have fully trained staff eager to earn money when they come back in the holidays when I need more people. At any one time there a minimum of 2 on the shop floor and up to 7 on busy Saturdays.
30 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • FEBRUARY 2014
closer to home, whilst bringing up the kids and realised quickly there was a gap in the market for kids shoes in the town. This was ten years ago. A family friend of mine worked for Start-rite at the time and was able to give me plenty of advice, plus Micam was but 4 days away when I called on him. Within 24 hours I was in Italy (my sister lives in Milan which helps) having booked thousands of pounds worth of shoes, having no premises or business plan!
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