A gardening business set up by a former finance director when he was made redundant has branched out with its first franchisee.
Peter Brewis set up Briary Garden Services in Consett in 2006 after 25 years as a finance officer and took on Ray Oliver in 2008.
Mr Oliver has now become the business’s first franchisee, covering the Stanley area. Although he has more than 20 years’ practical experience and gardening qualifications, he studied IT, finance, administration and marketing before taking the plunge.
He said: “The learning process has been challenging, but very rewarding. When I started out I didn’t have a clue about how to run a business so it was all a bit daunting. Read more.