Arkwright (Open All Hours) never sides with either the left or right wing, instead implying they are all useless. Arkwright does however seem fervently opposed to nationalisation, once commenting "My top lip went all stiff and dead, as if it had been nationalised." His political comments usually show no allegiances, instead making remarks like "When Wales get home rule, do you think they'll nationalise Clive Jenkins?" Arkwright maintains an openly polite demeanour around customers, but will often insult those who offend him in a veiled or open manner. Arkwright appears to believe in God, although he is certainly not portrayed as a religious man.
Open All Hours thirty minute pilot was written but did not enter production as the BBC turned down the series; instead, "Open All Hours" returned for its fourth and what would be final series the following year. A sequel, entitled "Still Open All Hours", was created in 2013 by original writer Roy Clarke and featuring several original cast members, including David Jason, Lynda Baron, Stephanie Cole and Maggie Ollerenshaw. On 30 January 2014, the BBC commissioned "Still Open All Hours" for six new episodes beginning on 26 December 2014. The show later returned for a second series, beginning on 26 December 2015. In