The Zip Yard

ZipYard Altrincham - England’s First Clothing Alterations Franchise

Richard McConnell, 32, opened his clothing alterations, repairs and tailoring franchise, The ZipYard, in Altrincham in September 2011.  Although well established in Ireland, Richard’s business is the first ZipYard centre in England, bringing on-site repairs and alterations to the high street in purpose-designed premises with fully trained staff.  

Originally from Derry in Northern Ireland, Richard moved to the UK in 1997 to study for a Management & Accountancy degree at the University of Huddersfield.

Richard is married to Marie and their first child, Darcey, was born in October 2011.

Education and early career

After University, Richard travelled and worked across Australia, Asia and Europe, often taking up jobs involving either door to door or telephone sales.  “It takes real inner strength to do those kind of jobs, because you are constantly being turned down.  You have to put up with a lot of rejection and negativity but it does build character!”

In 2003, Richard moved back to Huddersfield to work in recruitment for 4 years until deciding to branch out and become a driving instructor.

“I was 24 years old and I wasn’t enjoying the groundhog-day feeling of working in an office.  I craved a new environment and wanted to get out and meet people.  I was looking for work when an advert for becoming a driving instructor in the local newspaper grabbed my attention.”

“I liked the flexibility that the job offered along with working my own hours and being my own boss.”

Richard joined a franchise operation for 3 years before setting up his own independent driving instruction business for 5 years.

What led you to switch from being a driving instructor to running a ZipYard centre?

“My wife and I wanted to start a family, but my hours as a driving instructor were really unsociable, mainly during evenings and weekends.  We didn’t think this would fit in well with family life so I started looking around at different opportunities.  We had saved up a bit of money and thought that investing in a franchise was a less risky option.”

“We did lots of research in the franchise press and online, and looked into a wide variety of franchises.”

Why did you choose ZipYard?

“My wife noticed the ZipYard advert and she thought it was a fantastic idea.  We did some research and quickly realised that there was no real competition in our area. Most of the time clothing repairs are done as a bolt-on service at dry cleaners.  The turn-around time isn’t very good and they don’t offer a very wide range of services.”

“We went to meet Nigel Toplis, the franchisor, and we visited a centre in Wales.  We were impressed by the professionalism of the franchise.  The brand is very strong and the shop fit is amazing, from the fitting rooms to the equipment and layout.  They really know what they are doing and can cater for every kind of alteration and repair on site.”

What kind of support have you had setting up your franchise?

“Both myself and my wife, Marie, have received comprehensive training, at the ZipYard training centre in Belfast and more ‘hands-on’ experience in a working centre.  The training covered everything from administration and office processes to employment contracts, employment law, pricing, tills, equipment maintenance and the general day to day running of the centre.”

“Nigel and his team helped us to source the right premises and even helped us to negotiate the lease.  There are so many areas that I knew nothing about, such as break clauses and other contractual technicalities where Nigel’s team have been invaluable. I’m so glad we weren’t on our own.”

How is it going?

“It’s going brilliantly and we are getting busier every week.  In the first 6 weeks we saw our sales rise by 600%!”

“The reaction from customers is amazing. They seem genuinely ecstatic that we are here and their faces light up when they come in to the centre. They are delighted that we can breathe new life into clothes that they can’t wear or that are damaged in some way.”

What are your future plans for the business?

“Once we’ve got this centre up and running to full capacity we would love to open up a second one.  Marie would also like to get more involved with the business once Darcey has grown up a bit.”

Would you recommend a ZipYard franchise to potential franchise owners?

“Absolutely, no doubt about it.  It is one of the most unique franchises available, with a professionalism and quality that just shines through.”

Find out more about the Zip Yard here!

 

 

Juliet O’Connell, Owner of The ZipYard,

Dun Laoghaire, Dublin

Juliet O’Connell, 30, opened her ZipYard franchise for business on 30 November 2009 and now employs 3 full-time tailors and 1 part-time front of house member of staff.

Originally from Cork, Juliet studied for a Degree in Business at Limerick University and then a Masters Degree in Software Design & Development before moving to Dubai for over two years, teaching at a primary school and continuing her travels.

In 2007 Juliet moved back to Ireland and started working as Marketing Manager for a training company in Dublin, but as the recession loomed Juliet began to feel unsure about her future there.

“I knew that there wasn’t any room for progression within the company and I wasn’t confident that the company would even survive a recession.”

What next?

“I had always wanted to work for myself but struggled to come up with any ideas, so I started looking at franchising.”

“A friend from University had set up a ZipYard franchise in Limerick and it was doing really well, which got me interested.  Then one day I was walking to work in Dublin and a ZipYard had just opened literally yards from my office.  I thought ‘That could have been mine.’”

The encounter spurred Juliet on to do something about her future, so she contacted The ZipYard Franchisor Don Wallace.

Why The Zip Yard?

“I think the concept of the Zip Yard, repairing and re-styling clothes, is so compatible with the economic downturn. People have less disposable income, which makes them make the most of what they already have.  For example, this month a lot of people are bringing in ill-fitting clothes that they bought as bargains in the January sales, for us to tailor or alter.”

“The staff are all fully qualified tailors and dress-makers, and it’s amazing watching them work.  They are so skilled at what they do.”

What was the training like?

“The training was excellent and very hands-on.  You work in an existing
ZipYard franchise, learning all the processes and systems so you understand every aspect of the business. Then when you’re ready to open your own shop, the training manager stays with you until you’re confident to manage alone.”

“The support continues long after you’ve set up and there’s always someone available to offer advice and help if you need it.  It’s also very helpful having a whole network of franchise owners to talk to and share ideas with.”

How is the business going?

“It’s a big success and we’ve exceeded all our projections.  Our turnover has grown every month since we opened and we have more staff than we expected.”

What do you enjoy most about running a ZipYard franchise?

“I love being the decision maker and I get excited about the potential the business has to grow.  The staff are loyal and we have a great team.  The customers are happy and we get lots of positive feedback, so I’m very motivated.”
 
“One of the most interesting aspects about the ZipYard is that it’s a fashion retail/service business, and people are always asking for advice.  We could be altering a wedding dress one day and, if other customers are waiting or in the fitting rooms, everyone gets involved and gives their opinion. There’s a lovely family atmosphere in the shop.”

“So much so that customers often send us photos of their weddings or special days, which we display on a digital photo frame in the shop.”

Would you recommend The ZipYard to potential franchisees?

“Absolutely.  You have to be willing to put in a great deal of time and effort, especially at the beginning, but the rewards are well worth it.  It’s a great business, a great franchise and a great fit for the economic climate we’re in.”

“It’s good exposure having a high street presence and the brand has really grown.  Everyone I meet has either used ZipYard or they’ve heard of it.”

Find out more about the Zip Yard here!