Signs of a successful franchise

Norwich based signs and graphics franchise, Signs Express, is delighted to announce that its production unit based near Barker Street in the city, has a new owner.

Ken

Venables has taken over as franchise owner of the highly successful sign making centre, which was previously the only company owned operation of the 70 strong chain.

This milestone in the company’s history comes as the business celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Originally established in Norwich in 1989,

the business has solid foundations in the city with its head office and support operation employing seventeen people from their premises in a converted church on St Matthews Road.

The production centre was the first to open twenty-five years ago when Signs Express was conceived and was used as a pilot for the franchise concept before the business opportunity was rolled out across the country.

New owner Ken is no stranger to Signs Express; he successfully managed the Norwich centre from 2000 until 2008 before moving on to UK Hire as General Manager, and most recently to Quentor Ltd, also as General Manager.

Commenting on his decision to buy into the franchise, Ken said: “It’s an exciting opportunity and I am relishing the prospect of running my own business. Signs Express is a well-known brand and I am looking forward to re-establishing old connections as well as meeting new customers. Providing a reliable and consistent service is a key factor and on which firm relationships are built. Our aim is to provide this service giving a co-ordinated and relevant tool for our customers to highlight awareness of their own business to their customers and to prospective business opportunities.”

Ken will take over from Paul Baldwin, the previous Centre Manager for Norwich, who is moving to the head office into the role of National Sales Manager. Paul will help to grow the network’s national clients, assisting the franchisees by bringing them additional revenue through national as well as local business.

Signs Express (Norwich) opened its doors in 1989. The highly skilled team offer a comprehensive range of signs and graphics solutions including Vehicle Graphics (single vehicles to fleet applications), Shop Signage, Health & Safety Signs, Window Graphics, Complete site Signage (Schools, Commercial Installations, Colleges, Holiday Parks, National Trust sites) & Way finding signage in a range of options including etched vinyl, multi-colour & full colour digitally printed vinyl plus & pop – up & roll up Point of sale displays to Norwich and the surrounding areas.