A COMPANY is set to break through the £10million turnover barrier after opening 26 branches across the UK.

All Trades Network was set up in 2002 by business partners Keith Roberts, Cliff Whitehead and Michael Gibson.

The company based in Blakewater Road, Blackburn, provides a repairs service for the insurance industry using its own tradespeople to assess, cost and carry out guaranteed repairs to homes.

Now All Trades Network is hoping to increase its turnover from £3million to over £10million in just two years after setting up a franchise network.

Mr Roberts, managing director, said the company enlisted the help of support organisation the Franchise Development Services Northern because they were unsure how to go about setting up a network.

He said: "By the end of the second year of trading our turnover had reached £3million and we were working with some of the biggest insurers in the UK.

"We knew there was scope for expansion because we were constantly being asked to work outside our region, but we didn't have funds to buy and staff new branches.

"And because the business had been up and running successfully for a couple of years it was an ideal pilot to base the franchise model on."

As well as its head office in Blackburn, All Trades Network also has a base in Accrington as well as Aberdeen, Torquay, Leicester and three in London.

This year the company is hoping to set up at least another eight franchises and break into Northern Ireland. Mr Roberts said All Trades Network has had to adapt to become more of a business support organisation.

He added: "We worked closely with FDS Northern to understand the differences between running your own business and that of a franchise network."