An exercise in business (Daily Mail franchise story)

An exercise in business

IF YOU enjoy sports and fitness, there are franchises that can help you make a business of it.

Franchisees with Rosemary Conley Diet And Fitness clubs run at least ten fitness and nutrition sessions each week. 'You must be supportive and empathise with your clients,' says Linda Parker of Rosemary Conley.

Franchisees achieve an exercise to music qualification and gain a Certificate in Applied Nutrition and Weight Management, accredited by Liverpool University. Investment is £21,737.50. (Less if you already have the exercise to music qualification.) Health concerns, high motoring costs and a government scheme to encourage cycling are leading to growing business for franchisees with Cyclelife, part of the Raleigh Group.

You'll be running a bicycle shop, and trained to assemble, mend and repair bicycles. It suits people who want to start a hands-on family business, and investment is £50,000.

Little Kickers runs football sessions for the under-fives. You need not coach yourself, though at least one coach must have the Football Association level one coaching qualification.

Investment is £6,500.

Rosemary Conley 01509 620 222; Cyclelife 01773 532 651; Little Kickers 01235 859 250..

FRANCHISE

BRIAN and Karen Tattum raised £15,000 to start their Kingsmaid cleaning service franchise, which covers Wirral, Deeside and Chester.

'We remortgaged to raise the money,' says Brian, 35. 'The total setup cost was around £7,500. The rest we used as working capital.

'We also got a £2,000 grant from business support organisation Wirralbiz, plus some excellent business advice.'

Last November, the couple (pictured) wanted to borrow funds to extend the area of their franchise. 'Our bank said no, but a business network contact introduced me to a senior franchising manager at Royal Bank of Scotland,' says Brian. 'He asked for a cashflow forecast and within a week offered us a £20,000.'

Kingsmaid now offers the original franchise package, which involves no franchise fee, set-up costs of £6,5000 or an enhanced package with comprehensive training. Set-up costs £30,000 plus £10,000 working capital.