Cover Story
process and a text message is delivered to the customer upon completion. Nigel Toplis believes it has
professionalised the industry adding an extra element of authority to an already talented workforce. “We’ve very much made it a purpose- designed, high street operation, providing a clean environment where people can feel confi dent in entrusting their best garments to us knowing we will always do a good job,” Nigel added, which explains the rapid growth of the last three years and an expectation of another fi ve centres over the next fi ve years. Richard McConnell, who opened The
ZipYard in Altrincham in September 2011 and in 2013, was a fi nalist in the British Franchise Association (bfa) Franchise of the Year awards – having won numerous local business accolades. From a turnover of £174,000 in Richard’s
fi rst year to £270,000 plus in his second, growth has been exceptional and such has been the progress of the business that he has opened a second centre (Wilmslow), which is also doing very well. Marvin Winthrop started his ZipYard business just one year ago with a centre in Staines. He has been so pleased with its success that he has just bought a store in Bournemouth.
Marvin said: “I’ve been running The
ZipYard in Staines for over a year now and have worked incredibly hard to get it to the level it’s at today. My long-term goal was always to open another ZipYard centre, so when I was given the chance to take on a store in Bournemouth, I knew it was too good an opportunity to miss. “The ZipYard concept is really innovative and I think it is something that fulfi ls the need of the community. I am wholly committed to making this a success. I plan to build on the customer base that already exists and continue to provide Bournemouth with a top quality service.” Already experienced in sales and
Richard McConnell
marketing, Graeme Mulheron took the decision to buy The ZipYard franchise for Bedford in the summer of 2014 and hasn’t looked back since.
By the time local mayor, Dave Hodgson, unzipped a giant six-foot zip to declare the specialist garment alterations and repair centre offi cially open, the Bedford ZipYard business was trading at almost full capacity and recruitment was well underway – the store even added a third seamstress to the team!
“From a turnover of £174,000 in Richard’s fi rst year to £270,000 in his second, growth has been exceptional”
Graeme is no stranger to the franchising business model. He was previously an award-winning Cash Generator business owner running multiple branches. “The time was right to move on and give my career a new direction. I was proud of the Cash Generator businesses that I had built up. But, as a marketer, I’m always on the lookout for innovative ideas and The ZipYard model ticked all of the boxes,” Graeme said. The Bedford ZipYard is ideally located in the town centre and within days of opening its doors, customers began fl ocking in. Graeme continued: “I had read about The ZipYard’s arrival in the UK and was vaguely interested, but it wasn’t until I had to get a suit altered to go to a business awards dinner that I realised just how much the local area needed a top quality alterations and repair service. “I searched high and low for someone to carry out the repair. I eventually ended up in the middle of an indoor market at a
stall having the alterations pinned in full view of other shoppers. It dawned on me that there must be lots of other people out there just like me needing alterations with nowhere to take them, so I decided to bring The ZipYard to Bedford. “I have been extremely pleased by the success of our ZipYard store so far. As with any business, if you can combine excellence in service with excellence of products you have a winning formula, and we certainly have that here at The ZipYard, Bedford.” The ZipYard centres carry distinctive yellow and black branding. The store off ers a top quality garment alterations and repairs to members of the public, local retailers, businesses with uniformed staff , hire and bridal shops, and even schools, in a clean and purpose-designed retail environment with on-site seamstresses and private changing rooms. Territories are being snapped up fast but
there are still opportunities available for the right candidates.
The ZipYard Retail
www.thezipyard.co.uk edownes@thezipyard.co.uk 01530 513307
September 2016 |
BusinessFranchise.com | 15
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