{"id":28058,"date":"2015-11-16T14:55:43","date_gmt":"2015-11-16T14:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jomec.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=28058"},"modified":"2015-11-16T14:55:43","modified_gmt":"2015-11-16T14:55:43","slug":"cardiff-character-alan-edge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2015\/11\/16\/cardiff-character-alan-edge\/","title":{"rendered":"Cardiff Character: Alan Edge"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alan Edge stands behind the counter, calm and collected, reflecting the interior of his quirky outlet and his penchant for the eccentric.<\/p>\n

Born in Newcastle originally, Alan, 40, moved to Cardiff in December 2014 to open the shop, Princes and Paupers, in the Castle Emporium on Womanby Street.<\/p>\n

\u201cCardiff feels like it has an edge, it does feel like it\u2019s on the cusp of something. I can taste the creativity in the air,\u201d Alan states with a warm Geordie accent, gazing around his shop which is a perfect manifestation of his retro personality.\u00a0The store\u00a0prides itself on its thoroughly vintage ambience, furnishing his true love for archetypal classic paraphernalia for men which is normally very difficult to find.<\/p>\n

He says, \u201cMy idea was to open a shop where you could get all the harder to find clothes and accessories for men because we don\u2019t really have the choice that women have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Alan

Overcoming obstacles<\/strong><\/p>\n

It hasn\u2019t been an easy ride for Alan, as he explains that dealing with depression is one of the biggest obstacles that he has had to overcome whilst being in business.\u00a0Life can sometimes leave you feeling slightly discomfited and dispirited, but according to the shop owner, having an outlet for creativity and stimulation helps you to overcome the challenges life thrusts at you.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been self-employed so I\u2019ve always set challenges for myself. I\u2019ve generally done it without any support. Things might have been easier if I\u2019d joined the rat race, but I wouldn\u2019t be happy,\u201d\u00a0he claims.<\/p>\n

He explains that having a creative process and turning an idea into reality is one of the most satisfying outcomes that can be experienced.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u201cThe style and the clothing that I have is\u00a0kind of like an echo of my grandfather\u2019s era. So I\u2019m kind of carrying on his memory in a way\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When asked about his biggest influences, Alan made it clear that nothing is more important than family.\u00a0He resolutely emulates his grandfather as he proclaims him to have been a hard-working and self-made man.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u00a0think part of what I do in this shop, the style and the clothing that I have is\u00a0kind of like an echo of my grandfather\u2019s era. So I\u2019m kind of carrying on his memory in a way,\u201d Alan professes.<\/p>\n

He also explains how his can-do attitude has derived from his mother as he observed how she dealt with difficult situations when he was growing up.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother is a fantastic woman. She\u2019s very strong,\u201d he says proudly.<\/p>\n

Despite his conscientious disposition, Alan did confess to having a weakness.<\/p>\n

\u201cBiscuits are my weakness. Chocolate Hobnobs are my favourite. I\u2019m definitely a dunker, but I\u2019m trying to wean myself off Hobnobs,\u201d admits Alan.<\/p>\n