Member Article

Franchise Event Arrives in the North East

Saturday May 8th sees Newcastle Racecourse host the Great Northern Franchise Show for the first time. The event showcases over 35 franchise & business opportunities, all with North East licenses for sale. Over 500 visitors attended last year’s show in Leeds ? and an estimated 14 new businesses were started in West Yorkshire as a direct result. Franchising ? or licensing as it’s sometimes referred to ? is widely regarded as a less risky way to enter the world of self employment. The concept allows an individual to use the brand and know-how of an established, proven company ? and enjoy a step-by-step formula on how to successfully run the business. Statistics show that franchising contributes £10.8bn to the UK economy. The robust health of the industry as a whole is backed up by the very low levels of commercial failures. This lack of failure is due in part that franchising tends to reflect consumer trends. 20 years ago, visitors to an exhibition would have had seen the barometer point to, for example, fast food chains ? such as McDonalds or Domino’s Pizza. 10 years ago coffee shop chains were de rigueur. The durability of franchised businesses is something that the high street banks have picked up on. In this immediate post recessionary phase, some high street banks have set up specialist franchise teams keen to invest in a “safer bet” ? and offer preferential banking terms too. Mark Monument, the show organiser explains: “9 out of 10 franchisees report profitable business a couple of years into their licence but, like any venture into self employment, it requires careful consideration. Ultimate success depends not only on the actions and efforts of the individual licensee, but also the business decisions made by the mother company. Visitors will find at this year’s show just about every industry sector imaginable ? IT, White Collar, Handyman, Sport & Leisure, Retail plus some part time franchises which are tailor made for Mums looking to juggle self employment with family life” The event is free to enter, the racecourse has free car parking and visitors can attend several specialist seminars running throughout and receive a business start up welcome bag on arrival. Further information is available online at www.greatnorthernfranchiseshow.com Background: There are over 35 exhibitors, a list of whom is available online at www.greatnorthernfranchiseshow.com Doors open between 9.30am ? 4.00pm Saturday 8th May. Venue is the Gosforth Park Suite, Newcastle Racecourse. Admittance ? and car parking ? is free. Several specialist “drop in” seminars run throughout the event. Timings and themes are online.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by mark monument .