Place to be if you're in market for a franchise

Apr 27 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

MORE than 35 franchise businesses with licences available in the North East are coming together at a fair aimed at entrepreneurs and business service providers.

The Great Northern Franchise Show, which will be held at Newcastle Racecourse on May 8, is also staging a networking session for local businesses.

Exhibition organiser Louise Remfry said: “Our exhibition launch is a great networking event for Newcastle/ Gateshead small business service providers.

“It means they can introduce themselves, and their company services, to the exhibiting national franchises – all of whom hope to soon set up a base in and around towns in the North East in the immediate future.”

She said franchising provided a valuable pointer to what consumers currently want and can give people an idea about what sort of businesses are succeeding in the current economic climate.

“Visitors to an exhibition like this during the early 1990s recession would have had seen the barometer point to, for example, sandwich bar outlets such as Subway and coffee shop chains like Costa – which clearly turned out to be huge industries, although nobody knew it back then,” said Mrs Remfry.

“At the moment, the pendulum is swinging more equally between service industries to the public – mobile car vehicle repairs, healthy food concepts – and home-based business orientated franchises, such as business coaches, kids’ learning and play, and marketing consultants.”

Among the exhibitors with licences available for the region is Treasure Trails, a leisure business aiming to boost local tourism. It currently has 23 UK franchisees and is looking to expand in the North East.

Managing director Steve Ridd said: “The idea is to set up local walking trails which get people of all ages out and about exploring their area in a way which is fun, healthy and informative.

“It’s so straightforward but fun. Each trail has clues that you need to find or solve to lead you around a route that shows you the best historic and picturesque sights of that area.

“The trails are themed – either Murder Mystery, Treasure Hunt or Spy Mission – so once you have solved all the clues you are left with the whodunnit, the location of the treasure, or the code to foil a plot.”

The business, based in Cornwall, claims franchisees can expect a turnover of £60,000 in the second year with further potential for growth.

Businesses can register for tickets to the free networking event, which runs from 9.30am to 10.30am, at www.greatnorthernfranchiseshow.com