Franchise Focus Yards ahead
Richard McConnell runs England’s first ZipYard, a garment alternations, repairs and tailoring franchise
INVESTMENT LEVEL: £33,000 Richard McConnell
research we realised that there was no real competition locally. Mostly clothing repairs are offered as a bolt-on service at dry cleaners with poor turn-around times and a narrow range of services. After meeting Nigel Toplis, the franchisor, we
visited a centre in Wales and were impressed by the professionalism of the franchise. The brand is very strong and the shop-fit is amazing, from the fitting rooms to the equipment and layout. They really know what they are doing and can cater for every kind of alteration and repair on site.
What kind of support have you had setting up your franchise? Myself and Marie received comprehensive training at the ZipYard training centre in Belfast and ‘hands-on’ experience in a working centre. The training covered everything from administration and office processes to employment contracts, employment law, pricing, tills, equipment maintenance and the general day-to-day running of the centre. Nigel and his team helped us to source the
right premises and assisted in negotiating the lease. There are so many areas that I knew nothing about, such as break clauses and other contractual technicalities where Nigel’s team have been invaluable. I’m so glad we weren’t on our own.
R
ichard McConnell, 32, opened his clothing alterations, repairs and tailoring franchise The ZipYard, in Altrincham, in September 2011. Although the brand is well known in Ireland,
Richard’s is the first ZipYard centre in England, bringing on-site repairs and alterations to the high street in purpose-designed premises with fully trained staff. Originally from Derry in Northern Ireland,
Richard moved to the UK in 1997 to study for a management and accountancy degree at the University of Huddersfield. He and wife Marie have a daughter Darcey.
Education and early career After university, Richard worked across Australia, Asia and Europe, taking up jobs involving either door-to-door or telephone sales. “It takes real inner strength to do those jobs, because you are constantly being turned down. You have to withstand a lot of rejection and negativity but it does build character!” In 2003, Richard moved back to
Huddersfield and worked in recruitment for four years until branching out and become a driving instructor. “I was 24 years old and I disliked the
groundhog-day feeling of working in an office. I craved a new environment, to get out and
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Businessfranchise.com | June 2012
“Nigel’s team have been invaluable. I’m so glad we weren’t on our own”
meet people. I was looking for work when an advert to become a driving instructor in the local newspaper grabbed my attention. I liked that the job offered the flexibility to choose my own hours and be my own boss.”
What led you to switch from being a driving instructor to running a ZipYard centre? My wife and I wanted to start a family, but I worked unsociable hours as a driving instructor – mainly during evenings and weekends. This wouldn’t fit in well with family life so I investigated different opportunities. We had saved up a bit of money and thought that investing in a franchise was a less risky option. We did lots of research in the franchise
press and online, and looked into a wide variety of franchises.
Why did you choose ZipYard? My wife noticed the ZipYard advert and she thought it was a fantastic idea. After some
How is it going? Brilliantly and we are getting busier every week. In the first six weeks sales rose by 600 per cent! The reaction from customers is amazing.
They seem genuinely ecstatic that we are here and their faces light up when they come in to the centre. They are delighted that we can breathe new life into clothes that they can’t wear or that are damaged in some way.
What are your future plans for the business? Once we’ve got this centre running to full capacity we would love to open up a second one. Marie would like to get more involved with the business once Darcey is older.
Would you recommend a ZipYard franchise to potential franchise owners? Absolutely, no doubt about it. It is one of the most unique franchises available, with a professionalism and quality that just shines through. n
THE ZIPYARD
WEBSITE:
www.thezipyard.com EMAIL:
info@thezipyard.co.uk
PHONE: 01530 513 307 CLASSIFICATION: Retail
Investment: £20k-£50k
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