Franchise launch for successful Shropshire business
A Shropshire entrepreneur was so pleased with the continued success of his new business that he decided to franchise it - and has just signed up his first franchisee.
Lee Ridgway, of Market Drayton, launched Dry Steam Demon eight years ago, offering specialist commercial and domestic cleaning services throughout Shropshire and Staffordshire, and is now planning to roll out the project nationwide, starting in Scotland.
Former RAF Lossiemouth air traffic controller Jonathan Cornall, from Inverness, is swapping flight paths for garden paths as the first franchisee to launch his own business under the scheme, having recently completed a full training programme with Lee in Shropshire.
Lee commented: “We clean carpets, curtains, upholstery, leather and even well-used ovens, all by using dry steam, which has a water vapour content of below five per cent, meaning that most cleaned items are touch dry instantly and completely dry in one hour. This process has proved to be very popular with our customers and a great success for our company.
“The whole process is chemical free and neutralises 98% of dust mites, fleas and other microscopic organisms and so is suitable for asthma and allergy sufferers, who number many of our clients throughout the region.
“As Shropshire Chamber of Commerce members we get many referrals and repeat custom by offering value and a personal service, ensuring that people are treated correctly and don’t feel vulnerable in their own home and we are currently expanding our services to include complete conservatory cleaning and mobile vehicle and caravan valeting.
“I believe that the success of my business so far is down to the ethos of serving people properly using old fashioned family values, and I am delighted to welcome Jonathan on board and hope that his new venture benefits from the same success and business growth that mine has.”
