Entrepreneur takes next step with national franchise deal

  A Derbyshire entrepreneur has bought the national franchise of More Than Loft Ladders – a company that he joined as a start-up business less than a decade ago.

Liam Hobbs, of Long Eaton, was the second franchise holder of More Than Loft Ladders when he took on the Nottinghamshire area in 2013.

Since then, he has built up his business and added the Derbyshire and South Yorkshire areas, and now employs nine people, operating six vans across the area.

The company, which has won several awards for customer service and feedback, will continue to provide loft storage conversions for homeowners across the three counties under the leadership of Mr Hobbs’ wife, Kelly.

Meanwhile, Mr Hobbs will support the seven More Than Loft Ladders franchise holders who cover a wide area from Liverpool to Northampton and he plans to expand the network with an enhanced package of business support.

He said: “I have learned a great deal about running and growing a business in the past nine years and I now want to focus my efforts on supporting the current and future More Than Loft Ladders franchise owners across the UK to achieve their goals.

“I will be actively recruiting hard working and ambitious tradespeople who are keen to take the plunge and start their own business supported by us.

“I have also learned how to deal personally with juggling business and family life and am keen to support other franchise holders on a personal level to ensure their mental wellbeing.”

According to Mr Hobbs, loft storage conversions is a growing market, with homeowners keen to put wasted space at the top of their homes to good use either for storage or, for example, a hobby space.

He said: “It also makes financial sense to insulate a loft rather than see money on heating bills literally fly through the roof.

“Furthermore, the volatile mortgage market also means that many people are more likely to expand the living space they have now at an affordable price rather than moving and taking on bigger payments.

“As a franchise business, we have built our reputation over the years by offering the full service and, as the name suggests – we are more than a loft ladder company.

“Although this is obviously an important feature, we also install hatches, part or full loft boarding insultation, lighting and smoke alarms to transform dark and forgotten lofts into usable space.

“With a solid reputation and growing customer demand, I am confident that our growth plans will be achieved, and I look forward to providing personal and practical support to the franchise holders across the UK.”