A local entrepreneurial couple has expanded their domestic cleaning franchise operation by purchasing the license for Solihull, 10 years after they purchased their first franchise territory.

Tom and Julie Jackson, owners of Merry Maids franchises in Dudley, Birmingham South and Wolverhampton, have added the Solihull area to their already expanding business, making it one of the largest Merry Maids operations in the UK. The business will retain 20 existing staff at the Solihull operation, bringing the total across their business to over 60 staff.

The company saw a 16% growth in turnover last year across the three original territories and is aiming for £500,000 turnover within 12 months.

Tom said: “It is an exciting and challenging time for the business. The objective 10 years ago was to offer a friendly, quality service with a regular team servicing people’s homes. That is still our aim and we work hard to achieve it.”

Julie added: “As a business, we aim to grow, employ more local labour and become more profitable, whilst all the time ensuring our customers receive the personal service they have always had.”

Brand operations manager for Merry Maids, Pamela Thompson added: “Tom and Julie operate a very successful business and we were only too happy for him to take on another territory. His goals and targets suit the overall strategy of Merry Maids and we wish him all the best.”

Merry Maids Solihull was originally owned by Alistair Fitton, who ran the business for nearly 20 years. Alistair said: “It has been a privilege to have established the Solihull business in 1996 and to have served so many customers.”

Merry Maids is a brand of national franchisor, ServiceMaster Limited, based in Leicestershire, which is celebrating its 55th year in business. ServiceMaster Limited also franchises three other brands, TruGreen, ServiceMaster Clean and Furniture Medic. In 2013, the company turned over £55m.