Scheme puts franchisees on the ladder to success

A national franchise has secured a key expansion just months after it was bought by Derbyshire entrepreneur Liam Hobbs.

Liam bought the More Than Loft Ladders franchise last October – nine years after he became a franchise holder with the company and built up his business across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire – operating from his base in Long Eaton.

Tidy day hailed for making a difference

St Peters Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) hosted the first of its “tidy days” in February.

The tidy days are organised to meet the “welcoming” objective of the BID’s business plan, which aims to make the streets more inviting to encourage a sense of pride in the area.

Since acquiring the national franchise, he has invested heavily in developing an extensive support, training and services package for franchise holders who, as the name suggests, also install hatches, part or full loft boarding insultation, lighting and smoke alarms to transform dark and forgotten lofts into usable space.

The first new franchisees to join More Than Loft Ladders since the acquisition are London-based entrepreneurs Indika Wanigaratne and Krish Hapugoda, who will operate in Edgeware, Harrow, Uxbridge, Watford and Wembley.

Both have run several businesses in South East England – most recently a restaurant near Watford.

Liam said: “We already have seven franchise holders who cover a wide area, from Liverpool to Northampton, and are delighted to have Indika and Krish on board in this important patch around London so soon after acquiring the franchise. “We have been working hard to cement the support package available to new and existing franchisees which ranges from a full training programme and customer finance packages.”

The team was supported by members of Derby’s Street Pride, Derby Police and the city centre public protection officers (PPOs) who, alongside volunteers, spent a few hours collecting rubbish and abandoned items across the BID area, followed by a free lunch donated by McDonald’s.

Brad Worley, the BID’s manager, said: “Having joined in on previous tidy days, I’m constantly amazed at the difference these events make to the local environment, and the great fun and camaraderie that is generated.”

Blueprint completes new facility for Bupa

Blueprint Interiors, a workplace consultancy and fit-out company based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, has completed the six-figure fit-out of a new Bupa assessment centre in Cheshire.

Working in partnership with Enigma Wellness, it transformed

3,230 sq ft of commercial office space based at Portal Business Park on the outskirts of Tarporley, into a flagship Bupa and Enigma Wellness health assessment centre from which to deliver treatment and diagnosis.

Hannah Dixon, lead project designer at Blueprint Interiors, said: “As with any design and build project, the real hard work is done during the discovery phase.

“Working with the Enigma Wellness team in the defining stages enabled us to realise their vision and develop that within the design. This ensured there was total clarity, and the finished outcome met all expectations.