Member Article

Yorkshire cleaning franchise adds 50% in 30th year

A Barnsley-based specialist cleaning company has closed out its 30th year in business with 50% growth on the previous year at over £750,000 turnover, thanks to its investments in its team and a new territory.

ServiceMaster Clean Rotherham and Barnsley was launched in the spring of 1986 by fresh-faced, local teenager, Alan Sutton and his parents, Bob and Ethel Pickup. Originally run from the family home in High Green, Sheffield, 30 years on, the company employs 19 staff, including 14 trained technicians and trades across Barnsley, Rotherham, Wakefield, Huddersfield, South Bradford, Halifax and most recently, Sheffield. Alan’s stepfather Bob stepped away from the business in 1989 and Ethel Pickup retired aged 70 in 2007.

A franchisee of ServiceMaster, which is one of the largest and longest established, multi-brand franchisors in the UK, Alan’s business purchased the license to operate in Sheffield in early 2016 after it was made available for sale. The new area has added to the significant increase in turnover over the past year and resulted in bringing on a new member of staff.

Alan Sutton, managing director, ServiceMaster Clean Rotherham and Barnsley said: “I have an excellent team that we invest in heavily and they are the reason behind our most recent success. Being part of a growing franchise network means we are able to access exceptional capabilities, including training and support when needed. I’m excited to grow this business even further.”

In 2005, the company employed part-time bookkeeper, Emma Hazeldine who quickly rose through the ranks and became company operations manager in 2010.

Emma added: “We pride ourselves on delivering the best in customer service to ensure our customers keep returning. Without customers, there would be no business so our main focus is their happiness.”

The company provides domestic and commercial carpet and upholstery cleaning, as well as fire and flood restoration cleaning services across the seven territories. In early 2016, ServiceMaster Clean Rotherham and Barnsley was called in to clean up after flooding damaged the set of the BBC’s award-winning drama, Happy Valley.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Burton .