North West England franchise owners & news

Interview with Riverford Organic franchisee, Manchester South

Riverford Organic franchisees deliver seasonal, organic produce to homes across the UK. Dave Hanlon was the 100th franchisee to join the Riverford family and after 9 years of running his organic vegetable business in Manchester, he has decided it’s time to hang up his van keys.  If you are interested in buying an existing franchise for sale, then read Dave's interview to find out why he choose Riverford Organics, the success he has had and why now is the right time for him to sell his business.

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Franchising in the North West, why buy a franchise in the North West?

National SME consultancy franchise Business Doctors is headquartered in St Helen's, Merseyside. Lynne Rawlinson is brand manager

The north west has always been home to innovators and entrepreneurs. From the world's first passenger inter-city railway (1830), to the first programmable computer (1948), the north west knows that to change is to thrive.

The birthplace of the industrial revolution, manufacturing remains the biggest sector, but its five counties - Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria - are also strong in ICT, biotechnology, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, telecomms and financial and business services.

Franchising in the north west is thriving, with a recent British Franchise Association report showing sector growth of 27 percent, compared to 2.5 percent growth in the overall economy during the same period.

Growth was also indicated at franchisee level, with 92 percent reporting profitability and 80 percent of new franchisees that had started in the last two years already turning a profit.

Franchising contributes significantly to the north west region's employment, with over 56,000 working for a franchised brand. Sixty five percent of franchise networks have presence in the north west.

Under the Northern Powerhouse project, £4.5bn is committed to improve the region's existing rail lines, add new trains, new urban transport, and a major upgrade to the roads. This is on top of the committed £42.6bn investment in the HS2 new high speed connections from the north to London.

There has never been a better time to buy a franchise in the north west. Visit a franchise show, chat to franchisors and franchisees, speak to your bank manager and make that change. You'll be in great company.