Local Durham cleaning business celebrates four decades of sparkling success

Personal touch, professional standards

Earn £100,000+ a year without getting your hands dirty

Poppies has been at the forefront of the UK’s quality domestic cleaning industry for over 40 years… but you won’t find anything old-fashioned about the Poppies business model.

Poppies' technology, systems and processes make this a business that’s simple to operate and control. The Poppies bespoke business management system minimises your admin and lets you focus on what’s important: stellar service and stellar growth.

Note: the above financials are based on 2019 figures for the top 20% of franchisees who have their own management team.

Achieve the lifestyle you want while operating a fantastic business

Are you:

Looking for a great opportunity?
Looking for a low risk investment with great earning potential
Wanting to be your own boss without starting from scratch and going it alone?
Needing a business that can be flexible and scalable?

If this sounds like you, then look no further…

“Poppies has given me the flexibility and security that was missing from my previous career. It’s certainly brought a breath of fresh air, right from the very moment I took over the business in August 2013. Poppies has offered me the safety blanket of having a specific model to follow, whilst injecting my own flair and personality into the service - it’s grown into a business that I’m proud of.” Katie and Lee – Chester Franchisees

“It’s fantastic to be a part of a franchise that’s solely driven by helping franchisees build a successful and in-demand service to our communities,” Emma – Stockport Franchisee

The Poppies Cleaning Service Franchise Opportunity

The primary role of the franchisee is to build and maintain great relationships with both clients and staff. The ability to get on with people and enjoy providing help to other people’s lives is one of the cores Poppies are looking for in their franchisees.

As a Poppies Franchisee, you will employ cleaners your customers can rely on to be honest, efficient and discreet. Poppies will share with you their extensive inside knowledge about recruitment in the industry, which has been built up over many decades. From cleaners to managers and administrative staff, rest assured we will guide you through the very best practices to recruit and retain a dream team who will ensure your franchise flourishes.

What you’ll need to be a Poppies franchisee

Buying a Poppies franchise is a low-risk way of sharing in the success of an established brand, backed all the way by the people who know it best and made it all possible.

Poppies will let you into our trade secrets, support you with generating clients, marketing and operations, and mentor you to become a confident Poppies Franchisee.

Buying a franchise is a low-risk way of sharing in the success of a high-profile business, backed all the way by the people who know it best and made it all possible.

You don’t need to have owned a business before, nor have any experience of cleaning (because you won’t be doing it! You’ll employ the cleaners), but you do need to be:

A great communicator
Business-minded
Methodical and motivated
Proud and personable
Willing to reinvest to grow your business

Poppies History

Susan Rorstad founded Poppies and her success with growing an elite franchise brand across the UK saw her awarded an MBE by Prime Minister John Major for Services to Domestic Care in the 1994 New Year’s Honours.

Poppies is now owned and operated by its most successful franchisee, Chris Wootton, and continues to go from strength to strength. The Poppies Way is tried, tested and proven to get results.

Poppies is a serial franchisor recognised in the top 100 Franchises by Elite Franchises.

A business journey, taken together

You can have your own Poppies domestic cleaning business either by setting one up in a new territory or by buying one that’s already established. Either way, Chris and his team will mentor and guide you on following the proven business model.

If you’re starting from scratch in a new territory, these are the typical steps in your journey ahead:

Find out more

If you’d like to know more about the Poppies franchise and…

… are a real people-person

… enjoy providing excellent customer service

… want to build something of your own, surrounded by experienced people

Please get in touch with us below:

Poppies Cleaning Service News

Local Durham cleaning business celebrates four decades of sparkling success

November 27, 2023

After 34 years with Elizabeth Richardson at the helm, Nicola then took the reins, and Poppies Durham is now celebrating the incredible milestone of 40 years in business.

Since 1983, Poppies Durham has not only thrived but also significantly contributed to the local economy, harnessing the enduring spirit of independent businesses in the region. This anniversary marks not just years of successful operation but also a legacy of community engagement and customer loyalty that has stood the test of time.

"Stepping into Elizabeth's shoes was a significant challenge; they were metaphorically huge shoes to fill!” said Nicola. “Initially, my comment about buying Poppies was a light-hearted remark, something I never thought would actually materialise. Elizabeth created an incredible business in Poppies and handed over an extraordinary legacy. It was a daunting but inspiring task to continue that legacy, and my goal has always been to make Elizabeth proud, which I know she is!

“Over the past six years, I've dedicated myself to not only sustaining but also building on the incredible business Poppies Durham has become. Despite facing the extraordinary challenge of a global pandemic, our business has continued to thrive and expand. Together, we have navigated Poppies through numerous challenges, and now, the responsibility and honour of carrying that torch forward lies with me."

Nicola’s goal is to return to pre-pandemic levels of 1,600 cleaning hours every period. While one-off cleans for new customers alone could keep the business occupied for months, the priority remains clear: ensuring her 24 employees are able to strike a balance between work and play, along with maintaining exceptional service for their existing clientele. This cautious growth strategy is a reflection of their ethos, focusing not on over-committing or over-promising, but rather on delivering consistent, quality service.

The secret to Poppies Durham's 40 years of success lies in hard work, determination, and the willingness to seek help when needed. Prioritising existing customers over constantly looking for new work has been key. The loyalty and support from their local customer base have been indispensable to their journey, emphasising the value of community ties in their enduring achievement.

“I am immensely proud of our achievements here at Poppies Durham,” added Nicola. “I’m so grateful to Elizabeth for her belief in my ability to take the mantle, and I’m really proud that Poppies continues to be a success. Our commitment to excellence ensures that we'll continue to grow stronger over the next 40 years - our next target is to reach 2,000 cleaning hours. It's crucial to uphold and enhance the outstanding reputation Poppies Durham has established, and to ensure we remain at the heart of our community here in the Northeast.”