Grass firm sells first franchise

GREAT GRASS celebrate with the owners of Great Grass Bristol & Swindon. From left: Susan Gale, Mike Allen, Peter Gale, Claudia Gale and Jamie Thorpe

A FAILSWORTH firm which specialises in artificial lawns, and includes Manchester United and Manchester City among its clients, is celebrating the sale of its first franchise just one month after receiving official accreditation from the British Franchise Association (BFA).

Great Grass was given the go-ahead by the BFA after more than a year of scrutiny and sold its business model to Swindon couple Peter and Susan Gale, who trade as Great Grass Bristol & Swindon.

Mike Allen, Failsworth-based managing director of Great Grass, said the Swindon couple have bought a management franchise which will see them take on a single team before expanding the business into a multi-team structure.

Their franchise is expected to take three months to launch with the couple undertaking training at Great Grass's base in Oldham Road.

Mr Allen said: "We are delighted to welcome Peter and Susan as our first franchisees. Demand for artificial grass is growing at a rate of around 30 per cent annually, so both Great Grass and Great Grass Bristol & Swindon can expect huge growths in revenue."

Great Grass was established in 2011 and Mr Allen said it has become the country's top supplier of artificial grass. It supplies residential and business customers including Manchester United, Manchester City, sports brand Nike, schools and councils.

Great Grass is currently franchising by postcode regions.