Special Feature
difficult. We have found that traditional channels of recruitment, such as job centres, are no longer as effective and so we have had to learn how to use online resources to reach the largest number of prospective employees.
Describe a typical day in your Minster Cleaning Services franchise... I usually get into the office at 9am and meet with my operations controller and contracts manager to review the previous day’s activities and ensure that everything is in place for any new contracts that may be starting that day. Then, I would go and see the office manager – my wife, Victoria – to run through any credit control issues with her. I usually have one or two quotations to send out and I like, wherever possible, to see the prospective client in person to run through these. I also visit healthcare practice managers on a regular basis. With over 50 clients in the healthcare sector, this is now a very important part of our business.
Would you recommend a cleaning franchise to others? Without hesitation. Few organisations can claim to be entirely recession-proof but office cleaning appeals to a broad client base: general offices, call centres, accountants, architects, surveyors, solicitors, retail, showrooms, health centres, dentists, opticians, government and local authority, housing associations, unions and charities, and so on. It’s such a huge market that any ambitious person with leadership and management skills can build a big business; there will always be an opportunity to be successful by providing cleaning services for such a diverse range of organisations.
What are your plans for the future? We now exceed £2million annual turnover but I aim to continue growing the business in terms of both turnover and profitability. According to Leeds City Council, Leeds is the UK’s fastest-growing city and is the main driver of a city region with a £64billion economy, a combined population of three
“It’s such a huge market that any ambitious person can build a big business – there will always be opportunity to be successful by providing cleaning services for a diverse range of organisations”
million and a workforce of 1.37 million.* It is the largest centre outside London for financial and business services and, over the next 10 years, the economy is forecast to grow by 21 per cent. The market in Leeds and Wakefield alone is massive, yet the branch also covers major Yorkshire towns, including Harrogate, Horsforth, Morley, Otley, Tadcaster, and Wetherby.
The demand for domestics
• The demand for domestic cleaners is expected to rise as more people work longer hours, leaving them with less time for household chores, plus ‘Generation Y’ – now in their 30s – prefer to pursue leisure and experiences over housework and are prepared to pay for a service that meets their needs
• According to insurance company esure, demand for regular home cleaners has grown by over 25 per cent in the past five years, with most of the demand coming from young professionals living in one- or two-bedroom properties. In addition, research by cleaning site Helpling found four in ten 25- to 34-year-olds either have a cleaner or are looking for one, up from a third two years ago
• One third of households in the UK use the services of domestic help – including cleaners
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BusinessFranchise.com | May 2018
*Source:
www.leeds.gov.uk/business/leeds-economy
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