Derbyshire entrepreneur buys out loft conversion franchise

A Derbyshire businessman has acquired the national franchise he joined nine years ago and revealed ambitious plans to expand across the UK.

Liam Hobbs became the second franchise holder of More Than Loft Ladders when he took responsibility for the company’s Nottinghamshire operation in 2013.

He has been growing the business ever since, taking on its franchises in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, and now employs nine people at the firm’s Meadow Lane base.

The company will continue to provide loft storage conversions across the three counties under the stewardship of Hobbs’ wife Kelly while its new owner provides support to other franchise holders across the UK.

The buyout was handled by Rotheras Solicitors in Nottingham and financed with capital raised through Funding Circle.

Hobbs says he will now look to expand the firm’s network of ten franchises with an enhanced package of business support.

He said: “I have learnt a great deal about running and growing a business in the past nine years and I now want to focus my efforts on supporting the current and future More Than Loft Ladders franchise owners across the UK to achieve their goals.

“We are developing enhanced support packages ranging from accounting to marketing that will be available to franchise holders and I will be actively recruiting hard working and ambitious tradespeople who are keen to take the plunge and start their own business supported by us.

“I have also learnt how to deal personally with juggling business and family life and am keen to support other franchise holders on a personal level to ensure their mental wellbeing.

“As a franchise business, we have built our reputation over the years by offering the full service and, as the name suggests – we are more than a loft ladder company. Although this is obviously an important feature, we also install hatches, part or full loft boarding insultation, lighting and smoke alarms to transform dark and forgotten lofts into usable space.”

Hobbs added: “With a solid reputation and growing customer demand, I am confident that our growth plans will be achieved, and I look forward to providing personal and practical support to the franchise holders across the UK.”