Escape to the Great Outdoors in Ross-on-Wye, is celebrating supplying the residents of Ross and beyond, with everything they need to get active in the outdoors, for 20 years.

Graham Nicholson, 71, opened the shop in 1998, when the brand new development of the Croft Court Shopping Centre first opened. He was the first one to take up one of the properties, “but they soon filled up!” he said.

Graham told the Ross Gazette how he came to Ross-on-Wye, fancying a change from Nottinghamshire, where he was a Geography and Physical Education teacher - and taught outdoor activities as part of those P.E lessons.

He was interested from a young age in Geography and P.E, and found that they were the subjects he was interested in while at school.

Graham has two grown-up children and two grandchildren, one of which lives near Tewkesbury and one who lives in Scotland!

He continues to be very active, attending the gym three times a week at different local venues, and rowing for Ross Rowing Club twice a week, of which he has been a club member for a long time. He also hill walks whenever he can.

Graham said: “I’ve built up the business and gained a lot of knowledge over time and I pass it onto customers. I’ve learned how nice it is to talk to people - there are lots of opportunities to chat about products, as well as their jobs and other things. Every day is different.”

Graham said how he has a lot of regular customers, as well as regular visitors that come to Ross on holiday every year. He said that he also sees new faces often, as “Ross attracts a lot of visitors.”

He added that: “Ross has a good influx, but more people are buying online, so it is important that I give good, free advice, personal service and share my knowledge, which people can’t get online.”

Escape sells a variety of products for walking, camping, travel, general outdoor items, clothes and equipment.

Graham added: “One of the things that has changed over the years is that clothing has got much more technical, with materials constantly improving and developing.

“But I’m not interested in fashion brands, I sell things that do the job!”

He added: “I’ve had to keep up with the developments in outdoor activities too.”

Graham said his plans for the future are uncertain, as his wife wants him to retire, but he said: “I’m not sure why she would want to spend anymore time with me!”