Alan Tarney in the mid-1980s when he teamed up with Norwegian pop band A-ha. Producing the second version (after Tony Mansfield) of their first single "Take on Me" (1984), the song went on to become a worldwide hit. He worked on the band's biggest selling first three albums, being a co-Producer of "Hunting High and Low" (1985), and Producer of "Scoundrel Days" (1986) and "Stay on These Roads" (1988). He renewed his working relationship with the band in the production of their album release "Cast in Steel" (2015). He produced David Cassidy's comeback 1985 album "Romance," which included the top ten hit
William Low take over Hintons, which later became part of Safeway. In 1985, Wm Low took over Laws Stores at a cost of £7.1 million. Laws had a group predominantly based in the north-east of England with a portfolio of smaller stores than Wm Low. Wm Low proceeded to close unprofitable Laws stores in 1986. In 1989. Wm Low attempted to take over Budgens, a move described by Budgens as a friendly merger and which had looked to be a done deal. This deal ultimately collapsed. Also in 1989, James Millar of Wm Low approached John Apthorp, owner of Bejam Freezer Centres