000 Founders of Franchising DS 5/3/07 9:34 am Page 2
‘The decorating industry
is uncharted territory,
but the potential is
limitless. We’re looking
for more pilot
franchisees to help us
roll out the concept.’
Steve Baker, Founder and Chief Executive of the Local Services Group
Programmes such as ITV’s House of
drive to ensure building service that are taking on staff to build their Horrors and BBC’s Rogue Traders
providers are fully qualified. Local businesses. About 10 per cent of the make people scared of going through
Services is committed to complying network are management franchisees the directories like Yellow Pages for a
with all legislations and setting new now, and 80 per cent want to be. We tradesman, so we’re creating trusted
standards in the building sector.” have already developed a large number national brands that people really can
In year one ElecLocal launched 18 of national contracts supplying the put their trust in.
franchisees, and is currently operating network with a large amount of “The decorating industry is
30. “Because the ElecLocal and lucrative work on a day-to-day basis uncharted territory, but the potential is
PlumbLocal franchises are very and in some cases providing enough limitless. The first pilot franchisee
synergistic, we are able to support both work to keep franchisees busy full launched in the last quarter of 2006 and
networks through the same bespoke time. There’s also a major national we’re looking for more to help us roll
online scheduling system and call contract we are completing a trial with out the concept.”
centre, ensuring both networks get the at the moment that on its own should With strong marketing facilities,
same level of professional support,” enable every franchisee to put one, or support setup and franchising
says Steve. “Our ultimate aim is to be maybe even two, additional vans into experience, Local Services is a multi-
the contractor network to the insurance their businesses.” franchise company that has ambitions
industry, and as we win contracts for Local Services is expanding on all to extend its proven formula across the
one franchise, a contract for the other fronts, with the launch of a third building services industry. “We are
follows quickly.” franchise opportunity in the pipeline. currently developing apprenticeship
As the franchisee networks mature, “By 2010 decorators will also need to schemes and working with the Ministry
Steve comments that some franchisees have basic standards of training, and of Defence to provide new careers for
are realising the potential in their we are currently preparing to launch ex-forces personnel in order to help our
territories to expand by becoming DecorateLocal, which will provide City franchisees expand their businesses,”
management franchisees. “We still & Guilds qualification to franchisees,” reveals Steve. “We’re very excited
insist that franchisees become fully Steve reveals. “The market for this about the potential for DecorateLocal,
qualified plumbers or electricians, service covers homes, businesses, and we will see more trade-based Local
however we are supporting franchisees insurance work and care homes. franchises launched in the future.”
FURTHER INFORMATION: To read more about Local Services, turn to page 75
To read more interviews with the founders of franchising, visit
www.thefranchisemagazine.net
© 2007 The Franchise Magazine 161
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