[Steve Chapman]

Hi Guys,

Just after some suggestions really regarding my business premises as i cant make up my mind what direction to go in.

The situation is i have shop unit attached to my home which fronts the local high street, i ran a shop from it several years ago but found it too much running the carpet cleaning business and the shop, so i closed it up, and then used it as my office and rug cleaning space.

I'm thinking about opening to the public again as i have others that work for me and i am spending more time in the office on paper work and marketing these days.

I have my own thoughts but how do you think the space would best be utilized if it were you ?

Just as an office where people could come and book,? continue as rug cleaning room? open as a shop selling cleaning supplies and booking carpet cleaning ?

The actual unit is about 20 ft square, just enough to comfortably clean rugs, but to be honest i can clean them elswhere so not sure this is the best use.

The high street is not that busy an many small shops have closed up so not sure how much passing business i would get and whether it would warrant being here and opening all the time.

Would appreciate your thoughts ............

regards
Steve

[Neil Williams]

I take it you've given up on moving?
Are you sure it 20 sq foot? That would only be 4 foot one way by 5 foot the other?
Anyway,
Walk in trade for carpet cleaning very unlikely to happen. Now, walk in trade for rug cleaning much like dry cleaners might just work. Just change the signs over the door to say something like rug cleaning specialist so peole going past notice, but I would continue to use it as an office at the same time. As you said, you have somewhere else you can clean them so cut down your costs and get the customer to bring them to you. 

[Joe H]

Whats the difference between 20 sq ft and 20 ft sq

The first one could be 4ftx5ft the second one is 20ft x20ft

[Steve Chapman]

Hi Neil,

Still want to move but its just not happening at the mo as you probably well know  

That would be a small shop even for Portland, i meant 20' x 20'    

A rug drop off point i think would be a goer, and i do really need the office space, so may give that

some thought,

Just wanted to know if i was missing something obvious,

Regards
steve

 

[clinton]

Are you paying rent and business rates and insurance etc Steve?

[Steve Chapman]

no i own the freehold of the property and the business rates have been suspended.

Just business insurance

steve

[neil 47]

sell pasties from it never seen one of them close down  ideal across from post office



Neil

[Steve Chapman]

Don't think I'd be safe alone with pasties 

steve

[Ian Gourlay]

Is there a dry cleaner locally
If  not become an agent
or
Sell Cleaning Products on Ebay and use the area as your fullfilment house

or

Keep as Office but use as Gallery also

But if you have to pay rates is it worth it.

Unless you have a real goer as an idea stay as you are.

[robert stubbs]

steve,
       Put a selection of second-hand electric rise and recline chairs in your shop and watch the money come in. Buy them cheap,give them a good clean and sell them on.

    Done this for two years now,we also hire out to people recovering from operations.

Regards Rob

[derek west]

topless rug cleaning while you wait, not you steve, (no offence) hire some  female models, train them up to clean rugs and watch the queues.

imagine the shock on housewifes faces when the husband says, "think that rug needs a clean love, i'll just nip it round to steves"

"hey maureen, thats the fourth time this week my hubby has spilt coffee on that rug, i think he's going senile"

[Steve Chapman]

All good ideas, not sure my wife will allow the topless rug cleaning tho 

rob, where would you acquire the chairs from cheaply enough to sell ?

Steve

[robert stubbs]

Steve,
         
You could put a wanted add in local paper to begin with then, once you are up and running,
people will approach you regularly asking you if you wish to buy a chair from them, as they
have been bereaved.  Some will even give you the chair free if you will collect, just to get rid
of reminders of loved ones. 

We now also sell mobility scooters, stairlifts and other mobility aids. It is a growing industry.

We are now able to get away on holiday about a week each month in our touring caravan,
leaving our son to run the mobility business and take calls for the carpet cleaning.

Give it a go,

regards
Rob

p.s Probably not as profitable as Shaun Ashmores dry cleaning empire

[wynne jones]

Hey Rob sounds idealic, that's what I want to get to one day!

[MAX Carpets]

ben looking into this myself. My wife is a staff nurse, knows her stuff. Inside info!!

[John Kelly]

Roberts is a good idea. Its handy to diversify away from your main business as you do not then suffer from the quiet periods as much.

[MAX Carpets]

Robert

Do you have premesis to sell from?

[Steve Chapman]

Rob can i possibly call you some time to ask a few questions and pick your brains, it sounds a really

good idea but would be interested in a few more details,

regards
steve

[robert stubbs]

 No problem Steve ( 01538) 387158

 Regards Rob

[Ian Rochester]

Robert,

I like that idea, we've just got the keys to our new unit 3200 sq ft, (thats 80ft x 40ft, not 3200 x 3200)  and I'm looking at how best to utilise the space, it could be a good little sideline.