The business: South Bank Cards, 85 Lower Marsh, 020 7928 7100.

The owner: Richard Pears.

When did you open the business? “I started up in 1999, having seen a gap in the market. Waterloo is an interesting place to live and work in.”

What is the most unusual request you have had? “You do get some inane questions. I have been asked for a cheese and onion roll, a hammer and shaving foam in the past.”

Are you looking forward to Christmas? “Yes and no. Christmas is normally three times as busy as normal, but you have the worry of selling all your stock, having bought in extra.”

Where do you get your stock from? “I can pick and choose from thousands of different card companies. I try to sell a range to appeal to everyone from age 1 to 100. I like to think we cater for everybody.”

Tell us a little known fact about the business: “My brother James owns Café Del Marsh directly opposite my shop.”