Naturespace - Grounds Maintenance Franchise

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WITH NATURESPACE AND GROW A SUSTAINABLE, PROFITABLE BUSINESS IN HIGH DEMAND

Naturespace is a company of green space aficionados who look after commercial outdoor spaces the right way. That means the right way for the environment we live in, the nature we live alongside, and the communities we serve.

The grounds care sector is growing, especially in the niche markets of residential estate management and public open spaces. With councils’ reduced appetite for adopting open green areas, the grounds maintenance industry is responsible for looking after these public spaces, maintaining them and keeping them safe for residents and nature to enjoy together.

Naturespace runs its grounds maintenance franchise a little differently from the competition. As a franchisee, you can expect the following:

1. Working with a Franchisor whose central core value is ‘Do the Right Thing’ and being supported in adopting that culture into your own business.
2. Assistance to access both start-up and asset finance to launch your new business.
3. Access to contracts and work as soon as you commence operations.*
4. A comprehensive equipment package to give you everything you need to start your business the right way. (Included in your Franchise Fee)
5. An extensive training programme to ensure you’ve all the skills and knowledge to operate safely, effectively and successfully. This includes CPD-certified industry knowledge and theory, business operations and LANTRA-certified industry-specific technical training.
6. We have software systems and processes in place for finance, business operations, and administration. We’ve replaced paper trails with digital systems to streamline your daily operations.
7. Centralised Finance Function – Invoice raising, administration and debtor management.
8. Local Marketing Support – Digital/print collateral library, design assistance, central resources, and knowledge to be used to grow your business in your local community.
9. Local Sales Support – Once you’ve marketed your business, Naturespace can help you close the deal with assistance and templated documents for method statements, bid writing, tenders and contract negotiations.
10. Exclusive access to the Naturespace Operation Manual – An extensive guide on launching, running and building your franchise.

*The amount of work and rate of onboarding/handover will vary.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Launched in 2023, Naturespace was born out of a necessity for a more sustainable, environmentally friendly approach to grounds maintenance. Our journey so far has already hit several milestones:

• We secured a central key account customer to deliver sympathetic grounds maintenance on 300+ residential developments across the UK.
• Safe Contractor Accredited.
• We successfully launched our first pilot franchisee in April 2024.
• Our pilot franchisee is now achieving a turnover of £5,000+ per month after just four months of operation.
• Naturespace has worked alongside BFA Franchise Affiliates to develop our franchise model, including:
  • Vision Mapping to develop our unique approach to territories (we call them Optimal Operating Areas)
  • Nina Moran Watson and Vicki Mitman to develop our Franchise Agreement, written in the Spirit of Co-Operation.

THE OUTDOOR FRANCHISE THAT STANDS OUT

The grounds care industry will always be in demand while the grass, trees and hedges grow. This manifests in new initiatives to increase environmentally friendly practices, such as the Biodiversity Net Gain Legislation introduced to the house-building sector in February 2024.

The result is a decline in the fake lawn/grass market. Instead, people are opting for more ‘sympathetic’ methods.

And that’s where Naturespace comes in. We differentiate ourselves in this growing market not through what we do but how we do it.

We’ve swapped petrol hand-power tools for battery-powered ones and opted for more sympathetic methods of ground care. We prefer wildflower meadows and hibernacula over stripey manicured grass. Finally, we work with clients by educating them on what, how and why we do what we do.

So, if you love the Great British outdoors (even when it’s raining!), if you care about nature, the environment and your community, and if you’re good with your hands (there is no need for prior grounds maintenance experience), then we’d love to speak with you.

TRAINING AND SUPPORT

With Naturespace, you could start a business for yourself, but never be by yourself.

We want you to be the chief green space aficionado, leading your teams from the front, doing the work and affecting change in the industry.

Industry experience is optional. However, a willingness to learn and a practical attitude, or at least an interest in working with your hands outdoors, are absolute necessities.

Naturespace is looking to partner with the right people to do things the right way in the industry. We offer a comprehensive training and support package to those we choose.

Training

Training will be provided in the following areas:

• Technical – A mix of classroom, practical and online certified training from registered training providers to ensure you carry out the work you advertise legally, safely and effectively.
• Business – Now you know what work we do, and next up, we want to show you how and why we do it. Learn the Naturespace model inside out, including the key facets of any business:
  • Marketing and Sales
  • Business Operations
  • Staff Recruitment & Management
  • Finance Management

Support

We’ve sourced smart software and advisors that help you run your business smoothly and efficiently, including customer relationship management, site reporting, H&S, HR and finance.

In terms of business operation, it can be a lonely place, especially when launching a new company and wearing all the ‘hats’ needed to succeed. How valuable would it be to have another pair of eyes on your business?

We at Naturespace provide a detailed monthly business review that helps you assess your business’s current state and plan to ensure it’s on the right trajectory.

Of course, you can speak to us daily for advice as needed!

FRANCHISEE REQUIREMENTS

We’re looking for people who match our values, love the Great British outdoors, and want to protect and encourage nature while helping commercial customers keep their green spaces neat, tidy and safe for the local community to enjoy.

If you want to work outdoors, earn a good living doing the right thing and prioritise your mental health and family time over being a workaholic, then we should talk. Conversely, if you want to earn £1 million in the next year without picking up a tool, then we’re probably not for you.

As a Naturespace business owner, you’ll need to have the mindset of, ‘there’s no such thing as good or bad weather, just the right clothing.’

The summer months will be full of regular weekly/biweekly maintenance visits focusing on grass cutting, strimming and weed management. The winter months are for larger projects such as hedge cutting and Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) management.

A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE

You’ll perform the agreed site management tasks for the season using our state-of-the-art equipment package. With our software systems, you’ll plan your schedule, complete and send your site reports, compile, send, and even track customer invoices and payments.

All of this is done digitally, increasing our sustainable credentials.

You drive your Naturespace branded pick-up truck and trailer combo (van option available) and make your way to your first site visit of the day. Depending on the size of your site, this could be one of two or three visits or the only one you’ll make that day.

Once you’ve finished, you’ll quickly clean your kit, blow off the mowers and re-load the van to go to your next site or home.

If you’ve followed the process and system properly, you’ll have submitted your report before you leave the site. Once your report is approved, you can raise and send your invoice for payment.