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Franchise Focus


Zip Yard’s Richard McConnell says he owes his success to the high levels of customer service he provides in what is an otherwise under-represented sector


Sew good INVESTMENT LEVEL: £32,000 Richard McConnell


branches in prime retail locations throughout south Manchester, and perhaps even expand further into Cheshire.


He says: “I think the reason why we’ve been such a success is because we have very little competition. I mean, there are obviously places such as laundrettes that offer alterations, but it’s our high level of customer service that sets us apart. Plus the branding is very good, our signs are very visible and people walking or driving past will always notice us.”


The Zip Yard’s managing director, Nigel Toplis says its market potential is huge and all the Zip Yard centres are expected to be profi table in the fi rst year as, interestingly, the clothing-alteration business is not economy driven.


He says: “It is a huge marketplace. Whether it’s good or bad times, there is demand for our services. Body shapes change and clothing needs taking in or out, lengthening or shortening.


“Also, the skill level of people under the age of 60 has declined. For younger generations, hemming a skirt or adjusting clothing is virtually non-existent. “As a result the business has continued to expand and the take-up has been tremendous, particularly the repeat business.”


R


ichard McConnell, 32, is the owner of the fi rst English Zip Yard store, which he opened in Altrincham last year following his wife Marie’s hunch to buy the franchise.


He says: “I fancied a career change, and when my wife fell pregnant with our fi rst child, I wanted a business that could offer a little more fl exibility, because working as a driving instructor meant very unsociable hours which I didn’t want to continue. “We felt the time was right to seize the moment and invest in a reliable business with potential for growth. My wife Marie spotted the potential for the Zip Yard as a result of her own personal experience. Her wedding dress needed alterations, and although the work was done well, the seamstress’s working environment didn’t inspire much confi dence.


“The lady was working from home, and when Marie handed over her wedding dress it was plonked on the kitchen table, where the family cat jumped straight onto it.


66 | Businessfranchise.com | March 2012


“If you’ve spent a lot of money on an item of clothing you want to know that it is being repaired in a clean, professional environment by someone who knows what they are doing.”


“It is a huge marketplace. Whether it’s good or bad times, there is demand for our services”


Richard says his fi rst few months running the store have gone fantastically well. “It was very stressful and at fi rst I was struggling to cope with the demands, but we’ve had a steady fl ow of customers and the store has proved so popular, we now have three seamstresses working for us, which is rare considering the store has only been open for a few months.”


Richard is now planning to open up more


The Zip Yard franchise started in Northern Ireland six years ago, but now the business has expanded into southern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. Franchisees should expect to pay costs of up to £32,000 to open a centre. This includes a one-off licence fee of £15,000, plus a £5,000 fee for training and project management and shopfi tting and merchandising costs.


Nigel says: “The Zip Yard operates from high-street premises in a central location with a high footfall – and franchisees benefi t from this high visibility.”


For a Zip Yard franchisee there are multiple income streams, such as the walk- in business from the local area and business from bridal and formalwear customers. “Franchisees can also proactively approach businesses that have uniforms that may need alterations, and of course, franchisees that do this will be more successful, but sales isn’t what this business is about. Good customer service and management skills are key”, says Nigel. 


THE ZIP YARD


WEBSITE: www.thezipyard.com EMAIL: info@thezipyard.co.uk


PHONE: 01530 513 307 CLASSIFICATION: Retail


Investment: £20k-£50k


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