An award-winning domestic cleaning company is expanding its operation by opening an office in Preston as it looks to develop the business further. Currently serving customers in Blackpool and Fylde since 2002, business owners Nicky Morris is being joined by her husband, Steve Morris to head up the new office.

Steve, who has enjoyed careers as an RAF fast jet navigator and in business development and change management for BAE Systems, will head up the Preston office, offering a dedicated service to residents of the city and surrounding areas. The company currently employs 20 maids and is planning to employ more staff local to Preston in the coming months.

Steve said: “We’re excited to be opening a new office in Preston and the opportunity this will bring us to grow the business. With 13 years’ experience locally and a national reputation for quality domestic cleaning, we are confident of the success this investment will bring.”

Nicky added: “Steve and I have discussed the idea of him joining me in the business for a number of years and we are now at a position where we can make it happen. We’ve owned the franchise for the Preston area for a number of years and felt the time was right to have a base there.”

Merry Maids Blackpool and Fylde has enjoyed year on year growth and actively works with franchisor, ServiceMaster, based in Leicestershire to maximise its business opportunity. The company has collected numerous franchise awards from ServiceMaster since inception and Nicky was a finalist in the national Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWIF) Awards 2014.

Merry Maids is also active in fundraising for charity. In 2014, the company raised over £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and earlier this year, Steve cycled from Lytham St Annes to Palermo in Sicily, raising nearly £2,000 for Brian House Children’s Hospice.