Firm’s investment proves a good bet

A DERELICT former bookmaker’s office has been transformed into a modern office and small manufacturing unit by a go-ahead Oldham company.

Pest control business GreenCare UK has invested more than £200,000 to transform the building, at the junction of Ripponden Road and Huddersfield Road.

Based in Waterhead for the majority of the 19 years it has been operating, the company has seen an upturn in turnover since the move to the high-visibility site.

Managing director Debbie Fielding, from Royton, and service manager Steve Smythe run the business, which has six full-time staff, from the refurbished 2,000 sq ft premises.

The transformation of the former bookies, which had lain empty for close on 20 years, includes the addition of a first-floor, creating offices to deal with expansion and a manufacturing workspace where the team design and create flyscreens.

Debbie said: “There aren’t too many pest control companies on a main road but we have certainly benefited — people have been calling and even though some of these are members of the public with personal inquiries, we have been happy to help.

“In these difficult economic times we have to be a little more proactive and we are doing well as a result of the move. Many new customers have told us they have seen our new building.”

The company operates nationally, covering 305 sites for healthcare firm BUPA.

Debbie added: “Despite the recession we have kept busy. Pests like rats and mice don’t go away because there’s a downturn in the economy.”

Unkown to many outside of the pest control world, this is a heavily regulated industry. Clients are audited by professional bodies to ensure their premises meet health and safety requirements.

This keeps Debbie busy with ensuring not only GreenCare UK meets all the relevant regulations but also that clients have ease of mind.