Alex Smith was an architecture student at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London.

In January 1974 he opened up 4 Tolmers Square, fixed the roof and moved into the top floor.

Alex then moved to Euston Street, constructing a Savonius Rotor on the roof to generate electricity.

In 1975 he moved to 19 Tolmers Square where he built a sauna and small swimming pool. After living without money for a year he set up a wholefoods shop with his wife Chiara in a disused shop in North Gower Street. When the shop was taken back for redevelopment they moved the business to 20 Tolmers Square and operated there successfully until the end of the Tolmers occupation.

After leaving Tolmers, Alex and Chiara took a lease of a shop in Cromer Street and later in Marchmont Street. Alara foods still operates from this shop although Alex no longer has an interest in it.

Alex developed his muesli business and now operates from premises in Camley Street near Kings Cross. His firm employs 55 people and has a turnover of £7 million pa. The firm supplies major supermarkets, has 6 mixing machines and 600 recipes of muesli.