Member Article

Ian re-opens oven valeting business in response to encouraging customer demand

Former firefighter Ian McLean, who runs Ovenu Crawley, is reopening the oven valeting business after receiving more than 30 client enquiries.

Subcontractor Mike Berry, who already has two weeks’ worth of confirmed bookings, starts back on June 1st with Ian returning on June 15th.

Having to mothball the business in March due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, he took the decision to return to work in accordance with government guidance, having ensured correct safety procedures are in place.

Ian, who served as a firefighter for more than 20 years and previously worked as an electrical engineer, said he had been heartened by the number of enquiries in recent weeks, many from clients who cancelled at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.

He is now accepting bookings with the strict stipulation that both parties observe the two-metre social distancing rule, along with guidelines on hygiene and cleanliness.

With electronic payment on completion preferred, it is possible to complete the oven valeting process with minimal or zero customer contact.

He said: “I, along with many other tradespeople across Sussex, temporarily closed my business when lockdown was imposed - a very difficult thing to do when it affects the livelihoods of both Mike and I”.

“Since then, I’ve been preparing to re-open at the appropriate time with the correct measures in place. My priority is to ensure that my work will not spread this awful virus and make sure that we keep my clients safe and well”.

“Given how much time people have spent cooking and baking during this lockdown period, I imagine there’s quite a bit of work to do!”

During the downtime, he has busied himself by updating his company’s web page to improve the client booking experience and posting relevant information on his Facebook business page.

Rik Hellewell, founder and managing director of the Ovenu franchise, said: “Ian has taken a very responsible approach to reopening his business and has clear guidelines in place.

“I hope this provides reassurance to his clients and allows him to preserve the future of his business and contribute to the local economy.”

A poll involving a sample of 2,110 people, conducted on behalf of Ovenu by independent market research group DEG at the start of May found 46 per cent of respondents would consider allowing tradespeople into their homes if safety measures were in place.

As well as Crawley, Ian and Mike cover Horley, Crawley Down, East Grinstead and surrounding areas.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by News Gathering .