A SELF-confessed republican has admitted one of the highlights of his 30 years at the helm of UK’s largest designer fashion store turned out to be a surprise visit from Princess Anne.

But the royal connections do not stop there. For Steve Cochrane, owner of Psyche in Middlesbrough, has also been selected by the British Fashion Council to attend a reception hosted by Prince Charles at St James’ Palace to celebrate British menswear.

The event will mark the start of festivities celebrating the store’s 30th birthday, which will see the publication of Psyche’s own commemorative magazine followed by a lavish in-store party on September 27.

Mr Cochrane, who does not agree with hereditary peerages and believes selling the royal art works would help reduce the national debt, still feels honoured.

“I am a republican, I am quite left wing, but I wrote to Princess Anne in 1999 to ask whether she would come and see the fantastic building we had in Middlesbrough,” said Psyche’s managing director.

“I did not think in a trillion years she would come but she did and she was very complimentary.”

Other high points for the 53- year-old during his career include being made an honorary doctor of business administration by Teesside University and retail awards, beating both Harvey Nichols and Selfridges in London to win the Drapers Award for the best new store 2004 and the Retailer of the Year award.

Men’s, women’s and childrenswear brands including Hugo Boss, Barbour, Paul Smith, UGG and Lulu Guinness occupy more than 35,000 sq ft of the Upton’s building in the town’s Linthorpe Road.

Despite the recession, takings are up 26 per cent on this time last year and the thriving shop is undergoing a £400,000 revamp, largely paid for by the big-name stockists.

Future plans include entering the world retail awards, building a hotel, possibly in the rundown Gresham area of the town which is undergoing a regeneration. Mr Cochrane is also keen to globalise the Psyche brand by creating a clothing and fragrances.

“Even after 30 years I’m still passionate about what I do and I’m always looking for ways to improve,” he added.