Success Doncaster

When Woodlands Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) found that they needed to pay £80 a month to rent office space, they had to think of an inventive way to raise the funds.

Three local pensioners, Ernie Plastow, Peter Boulton and Geoff Bull took up the challenge by setting up an enterprise called “Friends of the model village”. Group Leader, Ernie Plastow, explains how they first got their money-raising idea, “We noticed that there was a need for bin cleaning in the area as no-one else was providing this service.”

He continues, “We started off using a high pressure water hose to clean the bins but found that this was messy and not very effective. Our main problem was that we needed equipment that would allow us to clean bins on a larger scale.”

The solution came from North Doncaster Development Trust, which used to be responsible for emptying recycling bins in the area and had a spare jet steam cleaner. This cleaner was provided to “Friends of the model village” on a free long term loan, allowing Ernie and his partners to put their plan into practice.

Demand for the bin cleaning has been extremely high with 80 local households using the service regularly and up to 10 new customers signing up each week. Not only has the group raised enough money to cover the office rental, but they can also afford to pay for an entertainer to visit Albany House retirement home each week, where residents now enjoy activities including music, exercises and bingo.

Ernie is happy with the success of the initiative although he recognises that there is scope to drum up more business. “We would like to offer the service to every household in the area but we don’t currently have the capacity”.

He added, “In order to expand, we need to provide a mobile, door-to-door service rather than being based in one place. To achieve this, we already have a trailer, but we still need a petrol powered generator and our own jet steam cleaner. If we can get this equipment and demand continues to grow, we may even consider setting up our own company in a couple of years time.”

Success Doncaster may be able to offer the help needed by “Friends of the model village”. In this instance the team can offer on-going, user friendly support based in the neighbourhood.  This will include a review of the business needs, the development of a plan to achieve a positive way forward and help with getting a loan to purchase the new equipment.  The Success Doncaster team is also prepared to pay for two free book keeping sessions (valued at £200) that will improve the financial management of the TARA. For longer term support of this nature the team also refers Ernie to Doncaster CVS.  The team will keep in contact and make sure that as new issues arise they can be tackled based on sound advice and experience.

If you need assistance starting a business, contact Success Doncaster on 01302 734554.