Fledgling and established franchise owners invest as service demand continues
Following record sales in 2020 and a significant increase in demand for sweeping services during the COVID pandemic, Wilkins Chimney Sweep has welcomed a new franchisee to its network.
At the same time, multiple franchisees have purchased additional territories.
New starter Dave Neville has purchased Wilkins Chimney Sweep Stevenage, taking advantage of the company’s ‘No Money Down’ offer.
He was introduced to the business by younger brother Andy, who bought Wilkins Chimney Sweep Cambridge and East Beds in June 2017.
Dave says: “I’ve watched my brother run his Wilkins franchise successfully over the past four years and, as a handyman by trade myself, I’ve even helped him out on a few occasions.
“I was initially attracted to the work and the fact I know the company and people who run it are decent.
“When I heard about the No Money Down offer, it seemed the perfect opportunity to start my own business and I don’t have to start paying the money back until September 2022, which is great.
“Currently I work for myself and some days there’s no one to ask advice from, which can be hard.
“A big selling point for me is the support I’m going to get from the franchisor and the network - I know it’s going to make a big difference and I can’t wait to get started.”
Operations manager Lisa Kimber says: “We’re delighted to welcome Dave to the franchise using our No Money Down offer.
“It’s always good to have a referral from a family member, as it shows great trust in our brand.
“He’s beginning his training in May and will be out on the road, with our full support a few weeks after that.”
As well as Dave opening a new franchise territory, a number of existing franchisees are expanding their territories.
Mark Yeomans, owner of Wilkins Chimney Sweep Halesowen, is taking on South Midlands with a member of staff, while Nick Menage, owner of Wilkins Chimney Sweep North Oxfordshire and South Warwickshire, is expanding his business by adding the West Oxfordshire territory.
Adrian Steel (pictured), is taking his total number of territories to seven, adding Wilkins Chimney Sweep Reading, Sutton Coldfield and Solihull, and Coventry.
He already employs three members of staff and is currently recruiting for a fourth to join the team in the new Reading operation.
Adrian says: “Not only were our figures coming out of 2020 great, but my business was also up 26 per cent during the pandemic, so expanding was an easy decision to make.
“I had already bought territories as far south as I wanted to go, so going north seemed a logical step with the new Midlands territories.”
Lisa Kimber says: “Wilkins Chimney Sweep franchisees have been performing out of their boots recently and these expansions are a direct result of all their hard work.
“We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary as a franchise this year and we’re proud to have supported so many people to own their own successful businesses.
“We’re actively recruiting new franchisees, as our training season draws to a close quite soon.
“We would love to hear from anyone who would like to run their own successful business, which as you can see has the possibility to be expanded into a multi-territory franchise over time.
“Wilkins’ franchisees receive first class training on how to sweep chimneys and how to run the business.
“Franchisees also benefit from our highly experienced head office team, which includes a former chimney sweep and the rest of the franchisee network.
“If finances are a problem, we’re currently offering a time limited ‘No Money Down’ option or if you would prefer to borrow from a bank we are preapproved by NatWest.”
David Callister, operations director of Taylor Made Franchising, which owns Wilkins Chimney Sweep, says: “While many businesses struggled during the pandemic, Wilkins Chimney Sweep thrived.
“With people working from home, they not only used their fires more often, but they were also physically at home to let us in to carry out a sweep, something they may previously have struggled to do.
“Although none of us knows what the ‘new normal’ will look like, we don’t foresee any major changes to our levels of service going forwards.
“Increased levels of working from home look set to be part of the new future workplace and once a client has had their chimney swept once, they’re unlikely to miss it again, understanding the importance of it being swept from a safety perspective.”
Taylor Made Franchising also owns Stumpbusters, Thomas Cleaning, PVC Vendo and Iconic Window Cleaning.