Kenny Broadbent April 3rd 2023
Forget Dick van Dyke dancing on rooftops in Mary Poppins or the traditional Dickensian image of the soot-covered chimney sweep the trade is flourishing in the 21st century with a very different image.
And as its resurgence continues one ambitious business has unveiled plans to sweep the nation with its modern take on the traditional craft.
Harpers Chimney Sweeps is aiming to create a national network to meet the growing demand for its services and plans to have 50 operations working across the UK serving some eight million households - by 2029.
The company has revolutionised chimney sweeping creating a modern business model powered by IT that includes a bespoke online booking service, backed by strong social media marketing.
Harpers growth plans come on the back of increasing demand for chimney sweeps following the introduction of rules that make it necessary for homeowners to keep the chimneys and flues of wood burning stoves regularly swept or face being fined.
Headquartered in Fleetwood, Lancashire, Harpers is also tapping into rising demand for chimney sweeps from public houses and other hospitality venues that are heated by log burning fires.
The business is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Jamie Griffiths and Ken Broadbent. It originally began life as a family firm of wood burning stove installers.
Earlier in its journey the company took over a 70-year-old chimney sweeping business and it has gone on to develop its modern eco-friendly service for customers, with repeat business at its heart.
Jamie said: "People may think of chimney sweeps as something from past Victorian times and not needed today but the reality is there is a massive demand for our services and it continues to grow.
"The clean air laws introduced around wood burning stoves have opened up fantastic new opportunities and the fact is the industry is not prepared to meet the demand for the regular chimney sweeping that is required.
"It means that chimney sweeping provision is in effect a postcode lottery with bad practice and old-fashioned methods commonplace. Our ambition is to create a network covering the whole of the UK operated by trained, skilled sweeps.
"At Harpers we are preserving the art of chimney sweeping while embracing modern techniques that enhance both our efficiency and our environmental responsibility.
"And we continue to redefine the customer experience through innovation. What we do today goes beyond just cleaning flues and chimneys. We provide help and guidance on how to get the best out of your stove.
It's a far cry from the traditional view of the sweep and you wont see us dancing on any rooftops any time soon!"
Read more about this business opportunity here: Chimney Sweeps Franchise
