Liverpool’s largest independent clothes store Resurrection have created quite the name for themselves. After getting in touch, we got a chance to sit down with Rob Pritchard and find out from the owner himself, just what’s going down over there!

Whats your name, where are you from and what do you do?

My names Rob Pritchard and I own and run Liverpool’s largest independent - Resurrection with my wife Lisa. We stock a vast and varied mix of brands including Carhartt, Lee, Zoo York, Merc, Converse, Onitsuka Tiger, Fly 53, Fred Perry, Religion, House of the Gods, Amplified and too many others to list. About 110 in all. We also stock a massive range of men’s and women’s vintage.

Ace, I personally can’t get enough of vintage and good ol’ Fred Perry but what’s Resurrection’s story, and what was the drive to make it work?

I founded Resurrection in 1988 when I was a student at Durham University. Originally it was a small stall that I used to run at the Student Union building once or twice a term. I’d take £100 on a good day and that seemed like an awful lot of money at the time as I was always broke. It was originally a purely vintage offering and stayed so in fact until about 2000. I started the store because I needed to make some money. I already loved scouring the charity shops, boot fairs and jumble sales for clothes for myself. One Easter holiday I decided to buy a bit extra so I could sell it on. I had some really cheap places I knew about and the initial stock cost about £40. It was a big gamble because that was pretty much all I had.

My father had died a couple of years earlier and my mum wasn’t in a position to bail me out if it all went pear shaped. After I graduated I carried on with the markets. I borrowed £700 off my sister and brought a really inappropriate old Land Rover to move stock around in. It leaked and stock often got ruined. It also drove like a tractor and did about 12 miles a gallon on a run. I soon paid her back although she still goes on about how she helped me out. In 1991 I opened a stall which was about 8 foot by 12 foot in the Quiggins Arcade. My Mum really helped me out in the early years by working on the stall when I was away buying or doing other markets. She became a well known figure herself on the Liverpool scene during these years and all kinds of people still ask about her. She still did odd days in the shop up to 4 years ago.

Over the years it increased in size and by the mid 90’s was making me good money. Lisa joined me in 1996 when we got married. Her input really helped move things on as she had a formal sales training and she also proved to be an excellent womens wear buyer. This isn’t why I married her though - when I met her I thought “what a Hottie”, and I still do now. In the last 4 years we’ve moved out of the Quiggins Arcade as the inner city development forced its closure. The move into primary retail space really was a big risk but it didn’t take long before we were making a big hit.

That’s quite a history! But what were the customers saying? Within the area, how well was it received at first?

Our first “big” store was at 25 Bold St. It was 3000 sq ft and seemed enormous. We opened that in 2006. We were in it 2 years before we’d outgrown it and now we have an 11000 sq ft store at 17-19 Bold St. The store’s always been popular. Even when it was a tiny stall in the Quiggins Centre we’d attract all kinds of customers - high profile bands and actors, young professionals, old professionals, students, normal people, Norwegians, all sorts. We’re definitely not corporate and people get that about us and believe in us. We also do things the wrong way sometimes just to see what happens. Like me buying that rubbish Land Rover all those years ago. We say it’s the Resurrection way. The staff play a big part in all this. I let them do their own thing as long as they are productive and don’t hurt anyone.

In terms of product we sell whatever I think people will want. I always aim to buy things that people will get pleasure from owning and wearing. I still get excited when I find amazing product, whether it’s something I would personally wear or not. Having such a varied customer base allows us to stock a really eclectic mix of brands and product. I still like to work on the shop floor when I can and have a lot of contact with my customers. I have so many regulars they alone could keep the business going. Some have been coming in for nearly 20 years. I’m only 41 so that’s nearly half my life.

When I select items from a collection I think in terms of buying for these guys. These guys are aged 9 to 70 so it gives me plenty of scope. Obviously with the brands we stock we appeal mainly to the 15 to 35 year olds, but there really is so much more. I find it hilarious when someone comes in who we’d have loads of things for, but for some reason they get overwhelmed by the offer and walk straight out again without really looking. It happens about twice a day when I’m on the floor. I get a real buzz when someone comes in and I think “now here’s someone we can’t possibly have anything for” and yet they get what’s going on and start finding things, or better still they start to get into stuff they didn’t even realise they would like. This happens a lot and gives me a real buzz. I feel like the store’s really made a contribution to their life.

What is it that you love about your area, do you have a big sense of pride in the locality?

I love Liverpool. I’m originally from Warrington which effectively should make me a second class citizen in the city, but I receive very little abuse.

My family were all originally from Liverpool and I grew up absolutely in love with the city. When the city was a real mess in the eighties I was so biased I still thought it was an amazing place. I love the people here, I love the scene, I love the architecture. I find it hard to fault the place.

I don’t like all the Smack Heads. Apart from that it’s a fine place.

Damn smack heads! So, what have you got going on at the moment, any interesting projects for 2010?

There’s always stuff going on. We like to do a lot of collaborations with local bands and artists. In-store gigs, photoshoots, exhibitions, that sort of thing. The web sites quite a big thing at the moment. It’s been live now for 4 months and we are shipping all round the world. So far this week we have shipped to New Zealand, Isarel, Germany and Russia and it’s only Wednesday. With the web site we will be carrying on the Resurrection tradition of not following the rules. I take notice of them, but then I think it’s best not to be restrained by them. For example, we have done the smart thing and attended Ecommerce courses, contracted an Ecommerce marketing company and taken on someone with lots of web experience, so that we have all the essentials in place. Now it’s all working and making money we can start to have some fun with it. There’s some funny stuff hidden in there for people to find. Just mischief at the moment but we’ve got the time now to really go to town on it. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from our on-line customers and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved so far. I didn’t think I’d be able to get my head round it so quickly being a bit of a techno phobe, but I like systems and some would say I was borderline autistic. It stands me in good stead for a lot of things in business.

You sound like quite the natural business man but for people interested in starting up an independent retail venue what would you tell them? What do you wish you’d known back when you first opened?

I knew absolutely nothing when I started. I think that’s good because you have to work out your own way of doing things. I’m not going to spoil it for anyone. They’re probably best working it out themselves.

So there is hope for the clueless entrepreneurs! But for you personally, what have been the absolute high points of the store?

Each time we expand and it works is a massive relief, if not a high point. Jared came in when he was hosting the MTV awards in Liverpool last year. He bought over £1000 of gear and loved the place. It didn’t mean that much to me at the time because I didn’t know who he was, but I really buzzed off the fact that although he was a very wealthy Hollywood star he homed in on the basement which is the part of the store that really reflects the origins of the business. It’s where all the Moddy/Indie gear is as well as the men’s vintage and he spent nearly an hour down there looking at everything. Every time someone finds the basement for the first time and really appreciates it, it reassures me that despite all the expansion over the years, we haven’t sold out. We’re still true to our roots, and what’s more people like what we’re doing

It’s Febuary now, the new year has barely begun but what do you want to have accomplished by the end of this year?

I want the website to be fully established and turning over good money. I always want the store to be the best it can be, so that goes without saying. I’ve been toying with the idea of opening a store in another city for years. I’m always put off by the fact the Liverpool store may suffer as a result. I’d rather have one brilliant store than two good ones. At some point it would be interesting if I thought I could have two brilliant stores, but we’ll have to see if that’s this year or not. I certainly won’t be sitting still anyway.

So, it sounds like Resurrection know exactly what’s on, and what to where whilst doing it. Kudos to the Pritchards for the epic creation of the Resurrection store.

Ever put on the radio in the morning, and found a song stuck in your head hours later that you didn’t even realize you had been listening to earlier that day? Well this happens to me consistently…except for Bring It All Back by S Club 7 which has been in my head for a good 4 years. You’ll hear me spontaneously singing it if you spending any time with me, my house mates hate it!

Well that’s how I think it works with the Bible. You get so stuck in to the Bible that you’ll find yourself remembering pieces that you may not have even paid much attention to before.

So, lately I’ve been searching for a new way to get some biblical teaching into my brain. Thank goodness my house mates have the smarts. Joel pointed me in the direction of a website that have audio teachings to download on MP3 for free, from a man called Andrew Wommack.

Of course I was skeptical at first, I can barely pay attention listening to biblical teachings when there’s something to look at, on a Sunday morning! Let alone plug my head phones in for an hour to listen to teachings! But I gave it a go!

Joel recommended I downloaded a set of teachings called ‘How To Fulfill Your Destiny’ first. So, I did and since doing so I’ve listened to each of them twice and downloaded thirteen others and listened to four in the space of the last three days! No lie, my iPod is jam packed with those teachings already!

My house mate Joel told me he once actually met Andrew Wommack at a meeting in Ireland. Andrew works over in Colorado Springs but I am adamant that if he comes back I’m booking a seat, calling a car hire in Ireland, buying a plane ticket, riding a bicycle, travelling however to get to that sermon. He’s an inspirational speaker and a devout spirit filled man. I recommend his talks as an impacting and easy way to get simple, interesting and humorous biblical teaching in to your daily life.

As I was browsing the National Geographic website, I found this little nugget of photography gold:

Farmer carrying his eleventh child, Dingle, Ireland.

Note To Self: Get to a Dublin car hire right now and travelling to meet this dude. Also, get a pipe.

Photographer Annie Griffiths Belt has a great collection of photos on her website. Her style is so vibrant and colourful. Whether she’s snorkeling or braving the snow she goes from length to length to capture these amazing pieces. All doing this whilst maintaining an epic sense of style. This woman has it nailed!

A new month and this one has brought about the new Carhartt Spring/Summer 2010 collection. Dropping in stores this month, all over Europe. From plaid to knitwear, denim to chino, Carhartt are making statements and loving our eyes with beautiful clothing for beautiful people.

As always anything in plaid or denim has my attention, but to my surprise I’m ever falling for the knitwear numbers! What will be grabbing your attention this month?

For 5 days only, Goodhood are having a sale with up to 70% off selected brands.

The sale starts today and runs until the end of Saturday…they’re selling like hot cakes so get them now!

Skate wear company and board fanatics DC toured to Vancouver, Chicago, Sáo Paulo and Dublin with their King of Series.

Touring each state, putting on skate competitions to find the ‘King’. Cash prizes from £2,500 for the winner, they tore up the streets in these 4 different cities last year.

If they’re coming to Dublin again in 2010 I’m flying straight over with tents and a bunch of friends, skateboards, going to the Dublin Airport car hire and even I’m going to compete!

I heard a couple of days ago, that people used to think that the places you go bowling and dancing were places of evil. I’m thinking that’s a little bit extreme. I’m not really one for holding placards outside of bowling alleys.

After all, I have clear evidence from my snazzy new camera that bowling and dancing are obviously gifts from God. LOL.

Not tooting my own horn but the first thing I bowled was a strike…I continued to bowl gutter ball after gutter ball from then on.

MY OH MY OH MY

After a day filled with THE most random set of events, meeting the UK distributor of Hummel and sharing in admiration of their up-coming collection for Autumn/Winter 2010 with the guys over at UNION….I came out with this pair of beautifully crafted footwear…

The Hummel Stadil High Top Canvas. Arn’t they delicious?

You know by now that slim fitting, comfy, contrast High Tops are placed in pole position when it comes to my personal selection in footwear, and these are simply perfect. Really. If you’re even in Newcastle, make sure you stop by Newcastle and just slip them onto your feet for a tester…the comfort is incredible!

Ok so enough with the drool over the soft foam interior and onto Hummel itself.

The concept of Character has been instrumental in defining the direction for Hummel since the concept was developed in 2005. The importance of having character saturates the way in which all their products are made. Each product is meant to express its own story and unique character and the same goes for every team and individual player they sponsor around the world. These teams and players are meticulously chosen – not only due to size and worldwide fame but according to uniqueness, character and will to win. As Einstein put it: “Weakness of attitude is weakness of character”. Anyone who’s ever heard of Christian Stadil will know he’s all about the ‘Karma’ and maybe it does rub off on the company as a whole. The stores say they’re one of the nicest and most pleasant brands to deal with, which is a big statement concerning the industry these days.

I know these definitely wont be the only pair in my set.

BELIEVE.

Okay, so slang can be heard in several various forms. But the best form of slang I’ve heard lately has been from my two Irish house mates.

I was tempted to hop a plane, and see if I could get a car hire in Ireland but given that financially I can’t afford a plane ticket…or the driving lessons to hire a car I turned to Urban Dictionary. I needed a reliable source to inform me the words I was hearing weren’t just made up mumbo jumbo.

The best phrase I’ve heard is used in place of ‘Your Mum’. Derived from ‘Yo Mumma’ from over in Brooklyn and the classic ‘Your Mother’ from the upper class men. My house mates use the phrase… ‘Ya Ma’. The answer and comeback to almost anything…

Who? Ya Ma
Where? Ya Ma
When? Ya Ma
What? Ya Ma
Why? Ya Ma

For Fall 2010 expect Vans and Stussy to link up for a special collaborative women’s project. The two brands will be getting together to release the Vans saddle shoe, The Sophie. These shoes are so sweet, totally indie chic and available in two colour ways.

The shoes have some sophisticated wingtip accents on the uppers and the heels, and will be made avaialbe in a weathered brown leather, and a patent leather black. Naaaaice.