Special Feature
What attracted you to franchising? I was made redundant from the Ministry of Defence in 2007, and took the opportunity to retrain as an electrician and set up my own business as a sole trader. Business was difficult to start with, and while reading a professional trade magazine I saw an advert for a franchise with gas-elec. I did my research into the franchise and came to the conclusion that this would give me better prospects and a more secure future. Not only would it give me two skills – gas and electrics – there is proven data that a franchise business has a greater chance of success over an individual business. I visited the gas-elec head office, and met Carol Otway and managing director John Davidson and liked what I saw.
“I was previously an aircraft engineer”
Why did you choose a hands-on franchise?
It was a natural choice for me, as I was previously an aircraft engineer and I just adapted my skills to the gas and electrical trades. This also gave me confidence in my investment because I knew exactly what I was doing and what was expected of me.
Which franchise do you operate: gas or electrical?
As I am a qualified gas and electrical engineer, and also hold the inspection and testing certificate for electrical work, I
gas-elec Mick Eldridge
Mick lives in Porthcawl, South Wales, and has been a gas-elec franchisee for eight years. He renewed his franchise for a second term three years ago.
do the dual gas-elec inspections. What’s more, I can carry out the more in-depth electrical wiring work and installations as well, being a qualified electrician.
Are you happy with the lifestyle that comes with running a gas-elec franchise? I don’t have any regrets about taking on the gas-elec franchise, but as with any business, and being self-employed, there have been challenges along the way. However, you learn from these and your business becomes stronger from the experiences.
In general, I enjoy the flexibility the business gives me, which suits my lifestyle, and a big bonus is the fact I don’t have to do much in the way of marketing, invoicing or payment collection. This leaves me free to concentrate on what I like doing best, which is the engineering side of the business.
How is business going so far? The business over the past few years is on a very stable footing despite the recession; my business loan has been paid off and I’m making a living to suit my needs.
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BusinessFranchise.com | September 2016
As with any business there is always the need to adapt to the changing markets and legislations. We are kept up to date with legislation changes from the technical experts at head office, and we are audited in the field regularly as a means of support and compliance.
Describe a typical day running your franchise.
First thing in the morning I would normally complete my paperwork and sync jobs to head office from the day before, so they can be invoiced. I then print off my work for the day, which has been booked on by the office. I then leave to start my first job, which could be a seven or eight o’clock start, depending upon the client’s request. I also confirm my day’s work with the regional office and then carry out what is required for each job, whether it’s inspection work or remedial work, and I pick up or order parts if necessary. If I encounter any problems or receive
direct requests for additional work, I contact the South Wales office for advice and for them to book on the system if necessary. I also inform the office immediately if I have to shut down any gas appliance or installation and they contact the agent or landlord for me.
What are your plans for the future? This is always a difficult question to answer. As with anything in life, things can change, but my plans at present are to continue as a gas-elec franchisee until I retire. I am also busy working on my house for the time being; the flexibility of my franchise allows this to fit in very well. I am glad I took the franchising route.
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