Minster Cleaning’s Network Support Team

Minster Cleaning was established in 1982 by Alan Haigh, who is still the company Chairman. It has been a full member of the British Franchise Association (bfa) since 1992 and was a 2021 bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year bronze award winner. With so much experience of franchising and the commercial cleaning market, Minster Cleaning gives prospective franchisees a rock-solid business model with considerable opportunities for profit and growth.

The experienced network support team is based in Birmingham, with departments covering all key business functions. Team members have a thorough understanding of the business needs of Minster Cleaning franchisees. As well as proactively supporting branches, they are always available to help with any enquiries and are in regular contact with franchisees and branch staff.

Training and support have always been crucial to the success of Minster Cleaning franchisees. Areas of support provided by the Network Support Centre include a highly effective marketing strategy, operational management, administration, bookkeeping, IT, and professional advice in the complex fields of employment law, health and safety and environmental legislation.

Managing Director, Mike Parker, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the team at the Network Support Centre and helping franchisees build their businesses.

The marketing team is made up of Head of Marketing Paul Stairmand and Marketing Manager Nikki Riddle. They provide the franchise network with support in winning new business, customer retention / development and recruitment marketing.

Paul comments, “We work on behalf of our branches to help them achieve sustained growth, both via centrally managed multi-channel marketing and by working with them individually when needed. We conduct regular branch marketing reviews to ensure that they are getting best value from their marketing spend.”

The IT department provides IT services at a group-wide level, meaning each franchisee has access to the same regularly updated software and hardware. Head of IT, Daniel Hinton, ensures that the technology aspect of each branch runs smoothly thanks to the IT systems provided. He explains, “With everyone under one umbrella we can make sure all our franchisees are working with the latest systems that have been properly upgraded. By providing a comprehensive IT support package, we’re giving franchisees peace of mind”.

Minster Cleaning is also rolling out Templa CMS, a digital tool that acts as a hub for payroll, holidays, invoicing and every aspect of customer relationship management (CRM). It is transforming day-to-day life for franchisees, reducing duplication of work and the burden of manual tasks such as data entry, and connecting every element of business activity.

Operational support is provided by Ian Hadley, Head of Operations with 35 years’ experience in the cleaning industry. Ian has an in-depth understanding of the operational issues that can arise in a large network such as Minster Cleaning. He provides help for franchisees in areas such as health and safety, employment related matters, operational training and product and service advice.

Further support is available through regular national and regional meetings and via the branch network, where there is a healthy exchange of ideas and information.

New franchise opportunities include Doncaster, Durham, Guildford, Leicester, London, Middlesex, Peterborough and Swansea. Initial start-up cost is £20,000 plus vat, which covers licence fee, territory, IT equipment and training, plus a comprehensive marketing launch package. In addition, a minimum of £35,000 working capital plus personal drawings is required.

For new territories, Minster Cleaning charges a 0% royalty on monthly branch turnover for the first 12 months of trading, which becomes 7% thereafter.