Meet Debbie Walker, Owner of Merry Maids Croydon
Debbie Walker has run Merry Maids Croydon since 2003. Over the past 20 years, she has built a team of around 25, supported customers across Croydon, Purley and Coulsdon, and developed a reputation for reliable, high-quality service.
Following her 2025 Great British Franchisee Award win, we caught up with Debbie to talk about her journey over the past two decades, how the business has grown, and what sits behind the standards her customers rely on every day. For Debbie, it has always been about consistency, trust, and making sure every customer feels confident in the service they receive.
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
Before running Merry Maids Croydon, I worked across a range of roles including recruitment sales, strategic sales, telesales, food demonstrations, and key account management. It gave me a strong foundation in communication, sales, and managing people, which I still rely on every day when working with both customers and my team.
What does your business look like today?
I own Merry Maids of Croydon, providing professional domestic cleaning services across Croydon and Sutton. Over the years, we’ve built a strong reputation and a loyal client base.
Today, I have a team of around 25, and we focus on delivering quality, trust and a consistent service that customers know they can rely on in their homes.
Why was having structure important when building the business?
From the start, having clear systems and a way of doing things made a big difference. It meant I wasn’t trying to build everything from scratch and could focus on running and growing the business properly.
What does your role involve now?
In the early days, I was much more hands on with everything. Now, I still stay very involved, but more from a management and decision-making point of view.
I oversee the day-to-day accounts and client onboarding, and I keep a close eye on the overall direction of the business. I also stay involved in recruitment and key customer relationships, so I understand what our customers need and expect from us.
What challenges have you faced over the years?
The 2008 financial crash and Covid were both challenging. Each time, it was about adapting quickly and focusing on what customers actually needed.
During Covid, we stayed in touch with customers throughout and made sure they felt informed and supported. For the team, it was about safety and making sure they felt comfortable going back into people’s homes.
That clear communication helped build trust, and that is something customers have continued to value.
What are you most proud of?
For me, it’s the consistency. We’ve continued to grow over a long period, built a strong reputation locally, and created a business that customers trust.
Winning a Great British Franchisee Award in 2025 was a proud moment, as it reflects the standards we’ve maintained over time and the service our customers experience day to day.
How do you support your team?
It starts with having the right people. I’ve always believed that’s critical.
I focus on creating an environment where people feel supported and valued. When the team feels that, it shows in the service they deliver. Customers see familiar faces, feel comfortable, and know they are being looked after properly.
How are you involved in the local community?
Community has always mattered to me. I’ve never wanted this to be just a cleaning business. It’s important that we’re part of something locally and that the business has a positive impact beyond the service we provide.
One example that really stands out is supporting a young Ukrainian refugee, Yuliia. Unfortunately, I couldn’t offer accommodation myself, but when a friend took her in, I offered her a job. She was able to build confidence, secure a work visa, and send money home to her family, with support from the whole team.
We’ve also worked closely with the Reedham Children’s Trust on food bank drives, collecting donations from customers and matching them. One year, we supported over 100 vulnerable families, and in 2023 alone, donations totalled £1,161. It’s something our customers really get behind, and many choose to get involved.
Dementia support is another area we’ve been involved in, raising over £1,300 for Alzheimer’s Society through the Merry Maids Forget Me Knot Challenge. We also support customers who are going through difficult times, including those living with a cancer diagnosis, where sometimes the most important thing is taking one worry off their plate.
Customers want a service they can trust, but they also value knowing the business is local, responsible, and genuinely cares about the people and community around it.
What can customer expect from your service?
A consistent, reliable service from a team they can trust.
We focus on quality, clear communication, and making sure customers feel comfortable with who is coming into their home. It’s about delivering the same high standard every time, so customers can depend on us long term.
A Smarter Way to Book Your Clean
Need some extra support from a business that cares in the Croydon area? Visit their website or book a regular or one-off clean by calling 0208 663 3268 or emailing croydon@merrymaids.org.uk.
