Tag Archive for: award winner

Merry Maids of Croydon Celebrates Over 20 Years of Award-Winning Domestic Cleaning Excellence

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If you are looking for a trusted domestic cleaning service in Croydon, you want more than a tidy home. You want reliability, consistency, and a team you can feel comfortable welcoming into your space. Merry Maids of Croydon has delivered exactly that since 2003, backed by over 20 years of experience and recognised for award winning leadership and professional standards.

For local families, busy professionals, and older residents, the business has become a dependable part of everyday life. From regular weekly cleans to tailored support for customers with more sensitive needs, the focus remains the same: quality, care, and attention to detail.

A Long-Established Domestic Cleaning in Croydon

Since launching in 2003, Merry Maids of Croydon has built a strong local reputation. As part of the wider Merry Maids network, customers benefit from national brand standards combined with local ownership and accountability.

In 2017, the business received the North Star Growth Award and the highly prestigious Dallen Peterson Franchisee of the Year Award. This accolade is presented to one franchisee across the entire ServiceMaster network who demonstrates the highest achievement in professional management, growth, customer care, and commitment to brand values.

Merry Maids of Croydon has received consistent recognition from its franchisor for both performance and culture. The business was awarded the Resilience Award in 2020, followed by Best in Class Customer Service and the People Award, Great Place to Work in 2022. In 2023 was also named a Great Place to Invest. More recently, Merry Maids of Croydon was named a finalist in the 2023 BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards and won the Great British Franchise Award 2025. These achievements reflect a clear commitment to high standards, customer care, and meaningful community involvement.

A Business with a Heart

For owner Debbie, improving a customer’s quality of life goes beyond cleaning. She describes the company as a business with a heart.

The team has played a key role in the nationwide Merry Maids Forget Me Knot Challenge, raising over £1,300 in just six weeks for Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Friends. Supporting customers living with dementia is a cause close to the business. The team understands that routine, familiarity, and trust matter. Consistent cleaning visits, familiar faces, and clear communication help create a calm and reassuring environment for vulnerable customers and their families.

Merry Maids of Croydon also supports customers living with a cancer diagnosis. The team recognises that treatment can leave people exhausted and overwhelmed. By taking care of the home, they help reduce physical strain and emotional pressure at a difficult time. Practical support, such as maintaining a clean, hygienic environment, allows customers to focus on their health and recovery. The approach is discreet, respectful, and tailored to individual circumstances.

Alongside this, the business has supported local food bank initiatives during the cost of living crisis and, more quietly, provided employment support that has helped a Ukrainian refugee rebuild stability in their life.

Trusted Support for Sensitive Needs

Many households require reassurance as much as practical support. This may include elderly clients, customers living with dementia, or families supporting vulnerable relatives.

While not a care provider, Merry Maids of Croydon approaches every home with professionalism and compassion. Staff are trained, uniformed, and fully insured. Strong staff retention means customers often see familiar team members, building trust over time.

This continuity offers peace of mind. You know who is coming into your home, and you know the standards they uphold.

For over two decades, Merry Maids of Croydon has combined professional domestic cleaning services with genuine care for customers and the community. When you choose them, you are choosing experience, recognised leadership, and a team committed to looking after both your home and the people within it.

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.

Debbie Walker from Merry Maids of Croydon Awarded Great British Franchisee Status

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Merry Maids business owner Debbie Walker achieves coveted Great British Franchisee Award.

Debbie Walker, the owner of Merry Maids of Croydon, has been recognised at whichfranchise.com’s Great British Franchisee Awards 2025 for excellence in franchising.

This blog post has all of the details.

The Great British Franchisee Awards 2025

This coveted award, now in its fifth year, recognises the best of the best of British franchising and is only awarded to a handful of franchisees across the whole country annually.

As a winner, Debbie proved excellence in her franchisee stability, business experience, growth and performance, staff retention and care, customer satisfaction, community involvement, franchise brand investment and inspired leadership.

Achieving this coveted spot, Debbie stands as one of seventeen exceptional franchisees awarded this year, alongside Fiona Perks, from Merry Maids UK’s sister brand Rosemary Bookkeeping.

She also joins her fellow Merry Maids franchisees, Nicky Morris, Tom Jackson, and Siva Kugathas, who have achieved the accreditation in previous years.

“The quality of candidates was remarkable once more this year. It’s wonderful that this extraordinary group of franchisees is being acknowledged for exceeding “the norm.” Their enthusiasm and dedication to their brand truly shone in their applications. They are genuine ambassadors for franchising,” says Suzanne Melville, Head of Marketing, whichfranchise.

The judges were impressed with Debbie’s excellent involvement with her community and franchisor as a true advocate of the Merry Maids brand, as well as her growth over the past few years, brilliant business strategies to sustain and improve growth and create value for her customers; going above and beyond to make sure that their needs are met.

Debbie says she is thrilled to be recognised:

“Winning the Great British Franchisee Awards means a great deal to me. I’ve been in business for over 20 years, providing dedicated services for my community. My mission has always been to be a business with a heart, providing an exceptional standard of cleaning for the people we serve while creating a place where my staff can thrive and we can give back through philanthropy and community support. This award is a recognition of all that, and how it’s essential to what makes a great franchise. I’m so proud to be among the best franchise business owners in the UK!”

Need a new cleaner?

See how Debbie and her award-winning business can support you with all manner of professional cleaning services by calling 0208 663 3268 to arrange a free, no-obligation quotation.

Or, nationwide, book online or find your nearest Merry Maids business today to connect with your local cleaning experts.

Merry Maids Dudley Awarded for Support to Peers and Brand Advocacy

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Tom Jackson from Merry Maids Dudley, Wolverhampton and Stafford has been recognised for working hard to support the Merry Maids brand and his fellow business owners.

Merry Maids Dudley, Wolverhampton and Stafford business owner Tom Jackson was recognised for going the extra mile to support his peers and brand, taking home two coveted and prestigious awards at the ServiceMaster Thrive in 2025 conference and gala evening.

North Star Recognition Award

The recognition award spotlights those in the Merry Maids network who have been exemplary in following the brand’s model and values, have actively contributed towards the best interest of the network of businesses and generally been a credit to the brand on a national level over the last year.

Tom was recognised as the worthy winner for not only following the business model but also for encouraging others to do the same. He takes great pride in his business and has great dedication to doing things the right way, making him a valued franchise partner within the Merry Maids brand.

Collecting this award, Tom said:

“Being a network is the best thing about Merry Maids, and supporting others is really important. If we’re doing fantastic, you can pick our brains and look at what we’re doing; if we’re doing something that’s wrong, again, let us know. And we’re looking after each other, whether it’s Mercy that’s newer or the guys who have just bought Lincoln, we can give them a call and say, ‘How are you doing?’ and try to encourage people. I think it helps the network. If they’re doing well, the network’s doing well.”

North Star People Award – Best Support to Peers

This award recognised Tom’s generosity and leadership, which have made a real difference across the brand. He has openly shared his own successes to help others achieve similar results and has gone above and beyond to support new franchisees, helping them build stronger, more successful businesses. Always ready with guidance and encouragement, he is a true pillar of support within the Merry Maids community.

Need a new cleaner?

If you’re in Dudley and would benefit from premier home cleaning services from a team of friendly and compassionate experts, contact Tom and the team at Merry Maids Dudley on 01384 242 809 today.

Or nationwide, find your nearest Merry Maids business or book online to see how we can help give your home a new standard of clean, tailored to your lifestyle.

Merry Maids AAA Staff Awarded for Dedication to Business

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Andrea Morland from Merry Maids Inverness has been recognised for going above and beyond the call of duty in her dedication to the business.

Alongside winning an award for making the business a great place to work, Merry Maids Inverness Office Manager Andrea Morland was recognised for going the extra mile to support the business in the last year, taking home the Merry Maids North Star Above and Beyond Award at the ServiceMaster Thrive in 2025 conference and gala evening.

Going the extra mile

This extra special award, sponsored and awarded by Capital Fleet Solutions, celebrates an individual who consistently goes the extra mile: embracing change without hesitation, stepping up without complaint, and always moving forward with purpose and positivity.

Andrea was recognised as the worthy winner for demonstrating her unwavering dedication and truly embodying the spirit of going above and beyond.

Andrea joined the business as a cleaner in 2023 under then-owner Bill Grant.

Rising through the ranks as the Office Manager, Andrea took the reins of the business and led it forward with a deep understanding of its services and the community it supports in the interim between the passing of the torch to new owners Siva and Ayranna Kugathas.

Evolving Role

Before having children, Andrea worked as a Sales and Marketing Manager within the hospitality industry and fitted her work around them while building up a small beauty business.

With both children now in their early twenties and starting their careers, Andrea joined Merry Maids as a cleaner when looking for a job that would fit around her other commitments.

“What appealed to me initially was the flexibility of the shift pattern and the variety of the job. It is never dull,” she says.

“Merry Maids is a very welcoming place, and you quickly become part of a team providing a much-needed service.”

Last year, Andrea’s role within the business changed, and she started spending more time in the office supporting the previous Branch Manager, Pheobe.

With Phoebe moving on to new pastures, Andrea stepped into a management role to drive Merry Maids Inverness to new heights.

Andrea says the advantage of her experience is that she can visualise the homes and has met most clients from a cleaning point of view.

She knows what it means to deliver the service that we provide, both from a practical point of view and the impact it can have on the people we serve.

Stepping up to meet every new opportunity presented to her, Andrea says she was still surprised to win the award.

”It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster three months being in this role, so to get an award tonight is quite unexpected, but I’d like to thank  my team. I’ve got some great girls doing a fantastic job, and of course, my fellow Office Manager, Kelly Ramsey. Thank you very much.”

Need a new cleaner?

If you’re in Inverness and would benefit from premier home cleaning services from a team of friendly and compassionate experts, contact Andrea and the team at Merry Maids Inverness on 01463 250229 or book online today.

Or nationwide, find your nearest Merry Maids business to see how we can help give your home a new standard of clean, tailored to your lifestyle.

Merry Maids Leicester Staff Awarded for Exceptional Contributions to Business

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Sam Stokes from Merry Maids Leicester has been chosen by her team as the Merry Maids Employee’s Choice Award Winner for 2024/25.

Merry Maids Leicester team member Sam Stokes was recognised for demonstrating exceptional performance, dedication and support to the business’s staff and customers, winning the coveted Merry Maids People award for Employee’s Choice at the ServiceMaster Thrive in 2025 conference and gala evening.

Bringing the sparkle

This is an extra special award, even amongst the many prestigious awards at the gala, as the winner was chosen and voted for by their colleagues, measuring their impact on their workplace in their effect on its people.

For the team at Merry Maids Leicester, Sam sets the standard: always ready to lend a hand, fully engaged in every task, and consistently bringing a positive energy to her environment. The nominations received for her colleagues spoke volumes about the impact she has on the business every day.

Owner Rachel Mullaney testified to this at the Gala as Sam received her award:

“What hasn’t Sam done this year that’s made me proud?

“She has stepped up in remarkable ways. Every single day, she comes in and brings a fabulous energy, and anyone who’s been in her presence will know that customers worship the ground she walks on.  So does everyone who works with us. She is fabulous.”

 

Collecting her award after practically dancing up to the stage, Sam was overcome with gratitude:

“I’m just overwhelmed,” she said.

“You know, I’m never gonna win an Oscar, but [holding her award aloft] look at this!” I’m just over the moon. This is so unexpected. Thank you.”

Need a cleaner that makes your home sparkle?

If you’re in Leicester and would benefit from premier home cleaning services from a team of friendly and compassionate experts, contact Rachel and the team at Merry Maids Leicester on o116 275 9055 or book online today.

Or nationwide, find your nearest Merry Maids business to see how we can help give your home a new standard of clean, tailored to your lifestyle.

Merry Maids Businesses Awarded for Investing in Their Communities

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Two Merry Maids businesses celebrated winning awards for investing in their communities at the ServiceMaster Thrive in 2025 Gala.

Merry Maids in Inverness and Bedford were recognised for their dedication to supporting their customers and their staff, winning coveted Merry Maids Invest awards at the ServiceMaster Thrive in 2025 conference and gala evening.

This blog post has all the details.

A Great Place to Work

Merry Maids of Inverness, represented at the awards by Office Manager Andrea Morland, were awarded for their successes in making the business a great place for its staff to thrive.

Collecting the award, Andrea, who oversees the day-to-day running of the business, has united the team under her leadership since taking the reins as Office Manager last year, said:

“ I think it’s just really important that the staff like coming to work. Cleaning isn’t the easiest job, but I’ve tried to make work a very friendly place.”

To do this, Andrea has increased both the communication within the business and created more opportunities for teambuilding and fun at work, alongside, naturally, delivering an exceptional service. This includes creating a morning meeting where the office team communicate with the cleaning staff and discusses the jobs of the day and regular activities like a quiz and playing games to round off the week on a Friday. All of this has made Merry Maids Inverness a great place to work and a place where excellence can prosper.

“I think we have a very dedicated team in the office, and it’s thriving,” Andrea adds.

A Great Place to Invest

The owner of Merry Maids Bedford, Mercy Ikeji, has made headlines this year for the business’ unique dedication to dementia support, where beyond our expert and compassionate cleaning for those living with dementia, she and her team have offered free cleanings to those living with dementia who cannot clean for themselves and are finding their quality of life impacted by the disease.

Collecting the award, she said:

 ”The training for Merry Maids, and Alzheimer’s for all our cleaners has really helped our cleaners to understand how to clean for those with dementia in a caring way. Most of the people clean for can see that our cleaners are caring cleaners and that has really made an impact, especially with the charity cleaning, where we support people in the community with those kinds of needs with a free cleaning and give back.”

“I want to thank Merry Maids, and our brand manager, Vikki, for the initiative and partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, and my team for actually coming out to do the free clean to support the people we serve.”

Win a Free Cleaning!

As a celebration of Merry Maids Bedford’s first anniversary and our work alongside Alzheimer’s Society we would like you to nominate someone who is living with or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s/dementia who you believe deserves a FREE 5hr clean.

T&C’s – All Nominee’s must be over the age of 18 and live within the Bedfordshire area. The prize is non-transferable and non-negotiable. Entries close on 31st Oct.

Need a cleaner who cares?

If you or someone you love could benefit from dementia-conscious and expert cleaning services from your local professionals, find your nearest Merry Maids business, book online or learn more about our commitment to supporting Alzheimer’s Society today.

Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston Recognised as Forget Me Knot Champion for 2024

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Nicky Morris and her team have been recognised as Merry Maids’ Forget Me Knot Challenge Champions for 2024.

Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston have been awarded the title of Forget Me Knot Challenge Champion for 2024, for their exceptional contributions to our fundraising efforts over the last year for our charity of the year, Alzheimer’s Society.

This blog post has all of the details.

Merry Maids Forget Me Knot Challenge

The Forget Me Knot Challenge is an annual initiative started by Merry Maids in 2023 to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

Our staff nationwide regularly clean for members of the public living with dementia and have been long-time supporters of Dementia Friends, which helps people become more aware of ways to support those living with dementia.

As we noticed we were encountering an increasing number of people living with dementia, whether themselves or caring for a loved one, we devised The Forget Me Knot Challenge to provide more ways to help by supporting Alzheimer’s Society and its mission.

The sponsored virtual relay tracks the distance covered by our business owners and staff as they walk, run, cycle or swim to travel the equivalent distance between each Merry Maids business nationwide.

Since then, we’ve raised a significant amount of money for Alzheimer’s Society, including £10,000 in the last year, all of which goes toward helping them provide help and hope to the over 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK.

Not to mention, over the last year, every Merry Maids cleaner across the UK has also attended exclusive dementia information sessions run by Alzheimer’s Society to recognise and bolster their knowledge of dementia, helping position them to provide informed care to the people we serve.

Forget Me Knot Challenge Champion

Each year, we recognise a Forget Me Knot Challenge Champion, who has gone above and beyond in their fundraising efforts. As the second-ever Forget Me Knot Challenge Champion, succeeding Mike Fargher from Merry Maids Sheffield, Nicky and the team at Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston were celebrated for their impressive donations, group activities, and vocal advocacy of the initiative across their social media platforms.

The team collected their award at the annual ServiceMaster Thrive in 2025 gala and has taken it back to the office to sit in pride of place in their trophy cabinet as a reminder and motivator for this year’s challenge, which is already underway.

Need a cleaner who cares?

If you or someone you love could benefit from dementia-conscious and expert cleaning services from your local professionals, find your nearest Merry Maids business, book online or learn more about our commitment to supporting Alzheimer’s Society today.

Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield wins Prestigious Award of Excellence

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Merry Maids business awarded for excellence in business at annual conference.

The owner of Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield was recognised for their exceptional contributions to their business and brand by winning the coveted Merry Maids Award of Excellence at the ServiceMaster Thrive in 2025 conference and gala evening last week.

This blog post has all the details.

Excellence at Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield

Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield, who also won the Award of Excellence in 2023, provides expert, compassionate and professional home cleaning services across Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding areas. It is owned and operated by Becky Hewitt, who, until 2024, co-owned the business alongside her best friend and business partner, Helen Bielby, the daughter of the original owner.

With Helen stepping back from the business at the end of 2024, Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield has been left solely in Becky’s hands, and this award exemplifies not only the successes the duo achieved during Helen’s final year but also the strides Becky has made in taking the business under her sole ownership.

The Award of Excellence has been awarded to Becky and the team at Sutton Coldfield for their dedication to embracing all the systems and solutions prescribed as part of the Merry Maids brand model, and the support that’s been offered to them by the central support team.

They have also been a great advocate and champion of the brand’s latest evolutions, such as our online shop and the mobile app, which allow for both our customers and staff to have a more straightforward, streamlined and better experience with every Merry Maids cleaning.

When collecting the award on Becky’s behalf, due to her prior commitments, at the gala, Merry Maids Brand Leader, Vikki Donnachie, said:

“I’m thoroughly delighted to present this award to Becky and Helen in Sutton Coldfield for the second year running. They are truly deserving of this award as not only have they had consistent growth year on year, they utilise all our proven tech systems and are pioneers within the network choosing to continue to support not only the brand as a whole but also their peers with new marketing ideas and are always willing to give new initiatives a good go. I am very much looking forward to continuing the journey with Becky as she took over the business in its entirety this year – the best is yet to come!”

Merry Maids Marketing Manager, Aaliah Chik, adds:

“Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield are truly deserving of the Award of Excellence. They have embraced all the systems and solutions here at Merry Maids and seen some great success off the back of it. We can’t wait to continue to see them grow in all areas of their business and encourage others to follow in their footsteps.”

Need an award-winning cleaner?

You have more important things to do than cleaning.

If you’re in Sutton Coldfield and need an excellent cleaning service, call Becky and the team on 0121 313 1005 or book online today.

Or, nationwide, get a free quote on our services by finding your nearest Merry Maids business.

Merry Maids Dudley, Wolverhampton and Stafford wins coveted Franchisee of the Year Award

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Merry Maids Dudley won a coveted recognition award for Franchisee of the Year for their business growth and development during this year’s ServiceMaster Spring Forward event.

Merry Maids and ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services businesses from across the UK rallied in Coventry this month for our Spring Forward event.

The day was packed with informative sessions from Team Academy on how owners and staff can utilise their natural superpowers to create an impact in their businesses.

The day was rounded off with a gala dinner and awards evening that saw franchise business owners from both brands awarded for their accomplishments over the last year.

Brilliance in Business at Merry Maids Dudley, Wolverhampton and Stafford

This included the team from Merry Maids of Dudley, Wolverhampton and Stafford, who won the prestigious recognition award to commemorate the expansion of their business to aid growth in the last year and for business owner Tom Jackson’s overall contribution to supporting the network.

This came alongside his winning another coveted award for business growth in Tom’s ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services business.

After winning these awards on the night, Tom said:

“It feels great [to win]. Any award is fantastic, but it’s great to be recognised by your peers.”

“We’ve always been proud of Merry Maids because we’ve been doing it for 20 years, so I think, for me, it’s about helping new people come along, trying to work it as we grow, they grow. I think that’s how we’re going to grow the network.”

Congratulations to the team at Merry Maids Dudley, Wolverhampton and Stafford for their hard work delivering excellence and supporting Merry Maids to thrive.

We wish them continued success in the years to come!

Want award-winning home cleaning?

If you’re in Dudley, Wolverhampton, Stafford and the surrounding areas and would benefit from professional home cleaning services from an award-winning business, contact the Merry Maids team on 01384 242809/ 01902 489420 / 01785 255299 or find your nearest Merry Maids business to see how we can help you today.

Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston wins coveted awards for employee engagement

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Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston won multiple awards for their employee engagement and performance during this year’s ServiceMaster Spring Forward event.

Merry Maids and ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services businesses from across the UK rallied in Coventry this month for our Spring Forward event.

The day was packed with informative sessions from Team Academy on how owners and staff can utilise their natural superpowers to create an impact in their businesses.

The day was rounded off with a gala dinner and awards evening that saw franchise business owners from both brands awarded for their accomplishments over the last year.

Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston – A great place to work

This included the team from Merry Maids of Fylde, Blackpool and Preston, who won the prestigious Great Place to Work award as a recognition of the investment they have made in their staff by putting initiatives in place to increase employee engagement and retention and who invest in their people to enable a successful business structure that keeps them competitive in the local market space.

As proof of employee engagement in action, Office Manager Debbie Worrall was awarded Employee of the Year – out of all employees across every Merry Maids business in the UK!

After winning these awards on the night and collecting Debbie’s award on her behalf, the business owner of Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston, Nicky Morris, said:

“Winning this award is fantastic because it’s not really for me, and Debbie is going to be so pleased when she finds out tomorrow – she doesn’t even know she’s been nominated!”

“Debbie has been an asset to my business since she joined two years ago; she looks after the staff, she’s got a big sales role as well as admin, and she’s good with customers as well. She can stand in for me at any time!”

Congratulations to the team at Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston for their hard work delivering excellence and creating a great place to work in their local community.

We wish them continued success in the years to come!

Want award-winning home cleaning?

If you’re in Fylde, Blackpool, Preston and the surrounding areas and would benefit from professional home cleaning services from an award-winning business, contact the Merry Maids team on 01253 401756 / 07450 612923 or find your nearest Merry Maids business to see how we can help you today.

Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield wins award of excellence

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Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield has been awarded a prestigious award for business excellence.

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services and Merry Maids businesses from across the UK recently rallied in Coventry for our Spring Forward event.

The day was packed with informative sessions from Team Academy on how owners and staff can utilise their natural superpowers to create an impact in their businesses.

The day was rounded off with a gala dinner and awards evening that saw franchise business owners from both brands awarded for their accomplishments over the last year.

Business excellence at Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield

Though they could, unfortunately, not attend on the night, one of the businesses was Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield, which was recognised for excelling in all areas of business, including their customer service through the use of their online shop.

We’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the team for their hard work delivering excellence and going above and beyond for their business and community.

We wish them continued success in the years to come!

Want award-winning domestic cleaning?

If you’re in Sutton Coldfield and would benefit from professional domestic cleaning services from an award-winning business, contact the team on 0121 313 1005 or find your nearest Merry Maids business to see how we can help you today.

Merry Maids of Croydon wins coveted award for community engagement

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Merry Maids of Croydon won a coveted Invest award for work in the community during this year’s ServiceMaster Spring Forward event.

Merry Maids and ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services businesses from across the UK rallied in Coventry this month for our Spring Forward event.

The day was packed with informative sessions from Team Academy on how owners and staff can utilise their natural superpowers to create an impact in their businesses.

The day was rounded off with a gala dinner and awards evening that saw franchise business owners from both brands awarded for their accomplishments over the last year.

Merry Maids of Croydon – A great place to invest

This included the team from Merry Maids of Croydon, who won the prestigious Great Place to Invest award as a recognition of the investment they have made in their local community through multiple initiatives that have helped them give back to the people they serve, including successful food drives and supporting our nationwide Forget Me Knot Challenge for Alzheimer’s Society.

After winning these awards on the night, the business owner of Merry Maids of Croydon, Debbie Walker, said:

“The people in our business have been fully involved [with all community engagement], whether it has been for Dementia Friends or our food bank drives that we’ve done this last year. It’s a great way to integrate them into what we do.

Our business has always had a heart – it is so important for our community that we give back for what they give us.”

Congratulations to the team at Merry Maids of Croydon for their hard work delivering excellence and creating a great place to invest in their local community.

We wish them continued success in the years to come!

Want award-winning home cleaning?

If you’re in Croydon and the surrounding areas and would benefit from professional home cleaning services from an award-winning business, contact the Merry Maids of Croydon team on 020 8663 3268 or find your nearest Merry Maids business to see how we can help you today.

Merry Maids North Sussex wins award for business excellence

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Merry Maids North Sussex won the prestigious Best in Class award during this year’s ServiceMaster Spring Forward event.

Merry Maids and ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services businesses from across the UK rallied in Coventry this month for our Spring Forward event.

The day was packed with informative sessions from Team Academy on how owners and staff can utilise their natural superpowers to create an impact in their businesses.

The day was rounded off with a gala dinner and awards evening that saw franchise business owners from both brands awarded for their accomplishments over the last year.

Merry Maids of North Sussex – Best in Class

This included the team from Merry Maids North Sussex, who won the prestigious Best in Class awards as a recognition of their embracing of the latest technology adoptions to improve her business’ employee satisfaction, customer service and financial results too!

After winning these awards on the night, the business owner of Merry Maids North Sussex, Beccy Pope, said that it was “amazing” to win for the value they provide to customers and staff.

When asked what great customer service and satisfaction meant to her, Beccy said:

“It’s what keeps the orders coming in and keeps us booked! Alex [Team Leader] has a lovely rapport with everybody, trying to invest in what they like.”

Congratulations to the team at Merry Maids North Sussex for their hard work delivering excellence.

We wish them continued success in the years to come!

Want award-winning home cleaning?

If you’re in North Sussex and would benefit from professional home cleaning services from an award-winning business, contact the Merry Maids North Sussex team on 01293 613133 or find your nearest Merry Maids business to see how we can help you today.

Merry Maids owner in West Midlands recognised as Great British Franchisee

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A cleaning company boss who offers rare job security and long-service awards to the people he employs in the West Midlands has won a major industry accolade.

Tom Jackson, owner of the Merry Maids franchises in Dudley, Wolverhampton, Birmingham South, Solihull and Stafford, has won a Great British Franchisee Award, one of the most prestigious honours in the highly competitive franchise sector.

“It’s common for a high frequency of staff turnover in the cleaning industry,” Tom says, “but that’s not the case in my business.

“I offer long-service awards because, generally, many of our staff stay with us for a long time.

“Two of the admin support staff have been with me for 15 years and nine years respectively – each having started as cleaners.

“And even the original two members of staff that I employed 20 years ago still work for us.

“I believe our staff stay with us because we care about them, and they can feel it, but also because many have been part of our journey and have seen the business grow from just two staff into what it is now.

“I also think people are drawn to the job security that a business established for 20 years brings.”

The Future of Merry Maids

Tom, a former bingo firm manager, is proud, too, that some of his customers have been using the company for 18 years, and one has even had the same cleaner continuously for all that time.

He also actively supports the rest of the Merry Maids network and mentors new business owners like Mercy Ikeji (pictured) when they join us.

“I’ve grown my Merry Maids business from a zero turnover virgin business to, what is currently, the biggest Merry Maids franchise in the UK with 60 staff,” he says.

“It’s a far cry from when I started with myself and two staff using a spare office – but I’m not content to rest on my laurels.

“I’ve set challenging goals for the next three years of growth with a target to be the first Merry Maids with a £1 million turnover.”

Tom is not the only one who thinks he will achieve that.

“Tom is a real asset to the franchising world,” says Merry Maids Brand Leader Vikki Donnachie.

“He is passionate about everything business, from his customers to his staff, as exemplified by his industry-defying levels of staff and customer retention.”

Contact us

If you’re in Dudley, Wolverhampton, Birmingham South, Solihull, Stafford and the surrounding areas and would benefit from a compassionate and professional home cleaning service, find your nearest Merry Maids business to receive a free, no-obligation quotation from Tom and his dedicated teams today.

Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield wins BNI Networking Award

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Helen Bielby from Merry Maids of Sutton Coldfield has won a networking award from the BNI in her area.

About the BNI

The BNI (Business Network International) is the largest business networking organisation in the world, with multiple chapters around the world that span a variety of industries in a vast network. Each chapter in the UK holds seats for around 20 business owners, each representing a different sector. Membership in BNI offers members access to business training, peer learning and opportunities to network and do business with hundreds of thousands of BNI members around the world. Each group in the UK meets once a week to network and discuss happenings in the businesses.

Merry Maids BNI Partnership  

This August, our very own Helen Bielby from Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield joined her local BNI Premier chapter to represent the cleaning industry on referral from the occupier of the charity seat who represents the Buddy Bag Foundation. The setup of the network is designed to allow members to bring in new business through referrals, which are logged in an app that allows members to see direct links to new business. Helen and Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield have received some recent business via referral from the network’s printing company, for example.

Helen says that although she had visited the chapter as a visitor, she was unsure about how the businesses would work together, particularly as the referrals would be for vastly different industries a lot of the time. However, in practice, she has been pleasantly surprised by the results. She says that being part of the chapter, even for just a couple of months, has made her realise that she is part of a further-reaching business community than she had thought. She says that even just attending the meetings has been beneficial in seeing how other members of this community run their businesses and are dealing with the same challenges that are currently facing small businesses across the UK like the cost of living crisis.

“For all small businesses, it’s a difficult time,” Helen says. “Whether it’s an insurance broker or a wine importer, we can see how other people are coping, you know you’re not alone.” Having already brought in an estate agent, Helen adds that she is now “Really hopeful that we’re going to work more to get referrals [as] the group is always expanding further. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and seeing what we can do for each other,” she says.

And historically, BNI businesses can do a lot for each other, with their “UK and Ireland members [generating] over £429m of business between them” in the last 12 months.

The BNI Awards

The BNI awards recognised the efforts put in by its chapter members for a variety of areas. Helen was surprised to take home the Notable Networker award as recognition of the noticeable growth that she has managed to bring to the network in just the past two months.

“I’m really pleased to win the award after only being a member for a couple of months,” Helen says. “It proves we do know people, and we’re really interested in getting to know other businesses who might want to come and work with us.”

As Helen says, the BNI meetings are a real commitment, particularly because each meeting takes place first thing on a Thursday morning! But she knows that not only will she reap the rewards for her business, but also that it has helped her feel more involved in her local community of other small businesses, and find “her small business tribe,” as she describes it.

This has also given Helen a great opportunity to promote her business through other channels, as she has been using it as an opportunity to promote the new online shop that is now running at Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield, which allows customers to book a range of domestic cleaning services from Helen and her team with the press of a button.

Book a Merry Maids clean

See how Helen and the Merry Maids Sutton Coldfield team can help you today by giving them a call at 0121 313 1005 or booking a clean online now.

Or, to find out more about Merry Maids in your area, find your nearest business to learn more about our services and book a free, no-obligation quotation today.

Merry Maids of Croydon wins Business Resiliences award

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A Croydon based cleaning company is celebrating after collecting a business award following the COVID pandemic.  

Merry Maids of Croydon scooped the Merry Maids Business Resilience award following the COVID pandemic. The award is designed to recognise and celebrate achievements in showing resilience throughout the pandemic to a business that responded in an above and beyond manner.

Covid19 presented a multitude of challenges to Merry Maids businesses and employees across the UK, who all responded magnificently in the highest traditions of delivering excellent customer service.

However, it was one business that stood out. Throughout the pandemic, Merry Maids of Croydon responded to the challenges in an exemplary manner by employing exceptional safety protocols, maintaining excellent standards of customer service and actively exploring new opportunities to ensure the future of the business.

Merry Maids of Croydon, is a franchise of ServiceMaster, owned and managed by Debbie Walker and has been successfully cleaning homes in the area since 2003.

Debbie commented: “Myself and the team are delighted to have won the award. It was an immensely challenging time and to know we did as much as possible to help our community and our fellow franchisees across the UK is a great feeling.” Said Debbie

“I was so pleased to be able to return back to work on 1st June 2021 and bring my team back together again. We set ourselves a target to have all our staff back within the business by September 2020 and this was achieved.” Added Debbie

“In the last year we have helped so many families, elderly clients and those that are vulnerable in our community to bring their lives back to some form of normality after what has been a hideous time for all. Nothing rewards us more than making a client comfortable in their home and making them smile when often they are facing difficult times.” Finished Debbie

Brand Leader for Merry Maids, Steve Morris said: “As the Brand Manager for Merry Maids it is one of the great privileges of my role to reward businesses that have achieved great things in the past year. Throughout the pandemic, Merry Maids of Croydon responded to the challenges in an exemplary manner.

“Of particular note, regular contact was maintained between the business and myself, the Merry Maids Brand Leader, for our mutual benefit for which I was extremely grateful. Proof of the excellent business management and customer service skills utilised during this challenging period are now being rewarded by a strong business recovery.” Added Steve

Merry Maids of Croydon are deserved winners of the 2020, and hopefully the only, Merry Maids Resilience Award!” Finished Steve

Recognising some of the less obvious, but nonetheless culturally vital parts of franchising is imperative to ServiceMaster and the yearly awards allows this to happen.

Awards were given for not only growth, but also to those that have given back to their community, or employees of franchisees that have demonstrated their commitment to the brand attributes engaging in initiatives and actions with colleagues and customers well beyond their job description, very often in their own time at their own expense.

“As a family business working for families, we are thrilled to have won, but it simply wouldn’t be possible without our staff. I feel they all need a special thank you. Merry Maids of Croydon constantly strives hard to offer great customer service and a community friendly approach.

“Of course, our goals over the next 12 months are to grow but also to continue to offer an excellent service to our clients especially continuing to develop in certain sectors – working with clients with dementia and the elderly that wish to stay living at home. Additionally, we want to maintain an excellent customer experience and continue to serve our local community”

“Let’s hope we never have to go through a situation with so much sadness and challenge again.” Finished Debbie

Gina from Merry Maids Wakefield wins Franchisee of the Year

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A Wakefield based cleaning company is celebrating after collecting a business award following the COVID pandemic.  

 Merry Maids of Wakefield scooped the epitome of awards, the Merry Maids Franchisee of the Year award following the COVID pandemic. The award is designed to recognise and celebrate achievements in being a model franchisee and additionally in the following year, showing resilience throughout the pandemic and reacting in an above and beyond manner.

Covid19 presented a multitude of challenges to Merry Maids businesses and employees across the UK, who all responded magnificently in the highest traditions of delivering excellent customer service.

However, it was one business that stood out. Throughout the pandemic, Merry Maids of Wakefield responded to the challenges in an exemplary manner by employing exceptional safety protocols, maintaining excellent standards of customer service and actively exploring new opportunities to ensure the future of the business.

Merry Maids of Wakefield, is a franchise of ServiceMaster, owned and managed by Gina Glendinning and has been successfully cleaning homes in the area since 2018.

Gina said: “Firstly, I can’t quite believe I won such a prestigious award having only just completed my 3 year as a Franchisee! What a huge sense of pride both in my achievements but also in my team and how hard we have all worked to keep going in such unprecedented times.”

“2020 as we all know had been a challenging time for everyone and although I knew the business would be impacted I also knew that I had the drive and the team around me to steer the business through.”

“I took the bold and immediate decision, to close the business immediately when needed but also to contact my lovely customers letting them know we’d be back. I believe my calm approach to the situation help others see that it was not a time to panic but to act.” Added Gina

Brand Leader for Merry Maids, Steve Morris said: “As the Brand Leader for Merry Maids it is one of the great privileges of my role to reward businesses that have achieved great things in the past year. Throughout the pandemic, Merry Maids of Wakefield responded to the challenges in an exemplary manner.

“Of particular note, regular contact was maintained between the business and myself, the Merry Maids Brand Leader, for our mutual benefit for which I was extremely grateful. Proof of the excellent business management and customer service skills utilised during this challenging period are now being rewarded by a strong business recovery.” Added Steve

Recognising some of the less obvious, but nonetheless culturally vital parts of franchising is imperative to ServiceMaster and the yearly awards allows this to happen.

Awards were given for not only growth, but also to those that have given back to their community, or employees of franchisees that have demonstrated their commitment to the brand attributes engaging in initiatives and actions with colleagues and customers well beyond their job description, very often in their own time at their own expense.

“Re-opening on 1 June 2020 was great, I had meticulously planned which members of the team should come back and how we would approach each job. I brought back 8 full time ladies with each working on an individual basis. I ensured I constantly contacted both customers and staff, remaining positive and calm even when some felt a little uncertain.” Added Gina

“The business steadily grew and eventually we got back to somewhat normal times. During this strange and demanding year, I strove to look for opportunities to grow the business via different avenues working with Estate Agents and Property Developers to ensure that any voids during our working days were filled.” Said Gina

“My year ended on a high as during Q4 my husband and I took the decision to expand and we purchased two new additional franchise areas. An excellent adventure awaited in 2021 when we took the reins just before Christmas.” Finished Gina

Merry Maids of Kingston is crowned a winner in the Great British Franchisee Awards

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Owned and operated by Gary Rolfe, Merry Maids of Kingston scooped a prestigious award this week which recognises excellence in franchising.

After setting up his business in 2017, Gary has taken Merry Maids of Kingston from strength to strength as well as shown resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic which forced many domestic cleaning companies to close their doors for a short while.

Offering services from regular house cleaning, to end of tenancy, builders and one-off cleans, plus more; Merry Maids of Kingston boasts an array of services to suit all requirements. Not only that, they are Dementia Friends trained, and with 12 staff members, are regarded as a great place to work.

Hosted by Which Franchise, the Great British Franchisee Awards focuses on the people who have made the UK franchising a success.  They recognise the outstanding performance of franchisees, regardless of the size of their business or the sector they work in.

With tough criteria to fill, Merry Maids of Kingston clearly demonstrated what it takes to be a Great British Franchisee. From proof of Franchisee Stability and Business Experience, Customer Satisfaction, Inspired Leadership and to Driving Business Growth and Community involvement – this prestigious award is no easy gain, especially following a challenging year following COVID-19.

Gary Rolfe said: “I am extremely honoured and delighted to have won this prestigious award, I am extremely grateful for the fantastic support I receive from Servicemaster, and the award would not have been possible without my amazing staff.”

The awards judging panel consisted of Suki Dehal – Lloyds Bank, Head of Franchising, Aman Nirwal – BDO, Senior Key Account Manager Franchising, Euan Fraser – AMO Consulting, and Derrick Simpson, Companion of the British Franchise Association.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed reviewing all the applications and it has been so refreshing to see how all sizes of businesses from various sectors have coped and adapted their business in response to not only Covid-19 but looking at sustainable growth and business resilience for many years to come. It was great to see so many applications and from a cross-section of franchisees too,” Aman Nirwal, BDO.

Learn more about the Which Franchise Great British Franchisee Awards at: http://www.whichfranchise.com/awards/