Full steam ahead as former railway engineer launches new Poppies franchise in York

Edden Jones will be looking to make an impact in the area, recruiting more local staff over the coming months

A former railway engineer is on track to launch home cleaning franchise, Poppies, providing high-quality service in York and the surrounding community.

Open for business in January, Edden Jones remains optimistic about the future despite starting his new business during challenging times. With a team of local cleaners, who have been carefully selected, referenced, and trained, the business will deliver a cleaning service to the highest standards with enhanced COVID-safe procedures in place to keep both the team and clients safe.

Edden will be looking to make an impact in the area, recruiting more local staff over the coming months. First and foremost, Edden will also look to restore customer confidence following the pandemic and will aim to increase his workforce and have over 50 clients by the end of the year. 

“For the past month, I’ve been busy with training and organising the marketing for my new business so I can build up a healthy order book. It’s certainly proving a baptism of fire, but I’ve been encouraged by the number of enquiries I’ve received so far,” said Edden.

Prior to becoming a new franchise owner, Edden spent almost two decades as a railway signalling design engineer for several different organisations in both the UK and Australia. His most recent role relocated him to York in 2014, which resulted in Edden having the time to reflect on his future and fulfil his dream of working for himself.

“After working my way up the engineering ladder to senior positions, it has given me real insight into running my own business and what high standards can be achieved by recruiting the right people and giving them the right training, motivation and inspiration to do things well,” Edden said.

“Having always worked for organisations, I am hugely excited to now be my own boss and in charge of my own destiny. The skills I have gained in engineering are proving to be totally transferable to franchising and will be invaluable to the day-to-day management of my new Poppies business, from organisational through to managing a workforce. With my background, I really felt that taking a franchise suited my personality as I like processes and following a system, and I could tap into the wider network for advice and support.”

With its ethical ethos and high standards, coupled with being an established and professional brand, Edden knew Poppies was right for him and he could tap into the network for advice, guidance and support. “I’m really excited to be launching Poppies in York and I realise the importance of excellent customer care and providing a high-quality service for every customer in their home or at their business. My aim is to help people who are struggling to juggle work and home life by delivering a first-class service at the heart of the community,” he explained.

Poppies York is part of a national network of 23 franchisees building their own local business, creating over 500 jobs and delivering high-quality cleaning to over 6,000 homes on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis in line with clients’ individual needs.