Christmas Decorators – Franchise Version

A festive franchisor says his special relationship with a fellow franchisor is at least partly responsible for his success.

The Christmas Decorators head of operations Nick Bolton first sought the help of small business consultants Business Doctors in 2006. And the past decade has seen the bond between the two companies go from strength to strength. In the last two years alone, Nick says Business Doctors has saved him £100,000.

The relationship between the businesses now operates at both head office and franchisee level.

Nick explains: “Having valued Business Doctors’ advice and support for ten years, I now recommend that my franchisees pair up with their franchisees for mentoring and business support.

“This is not at all a relationship based on referral fees. I truly believe that my franchisees will operate to their full potential with their own Business Doctor on board and that is what I recommend they do.”

One franchisee has gone a step further and David Hill, from Windsor, is now the owner of both a The Christmas Decorators and a Business Doctors franchise.

The former technical manager invested in his Christmas Decorators franchise in 2015 as a way to dip his toe into part time self employment. Dave became aware of the Business Doctors SME support concept when franchisor Rod Davies spoke at The Christmas Decorators’ conference. Six months later, David handed in his notice at work and became a double franchisee.

He said: “When I took on my Christmas Decorators franchise with my wife, it really gave me a taste of self employment and I liked it. I know find myself in the unusual position of running two franchises – one seasonal and the other year round.”

The Christmas Decorators has 42 franchisees and clients include Steven Spielberg, Google and even the town of Bethlehem.

Last year, with the help of ERDF funding, they launched Europe’s largest Christmas decorations showroom in Liverpool, at a cost of over £250,000.

Business Doctors helped us with the business plan for the £50,000 funding that made our dream a reality. As a result of the new showroom, we’ve added Harrods and the Ritz to our client list and £1 million to our turnover.”

Business Doctors also saved the company £50,000 in R&D tax credits last year. Rod Davies, co-owner, Business Doctors said: “As a franchised network of SME consultants, we are in a unique position to support other franchisors and franchisees.

Our relationship with The Christmas Decorators is one we value very much and hope to see continue for many years.