Having launched in what many would claim to have been the most difficult of economic times, Lime Orchard, the new garden design and construction service franchise headed up by Judy Behl (the brains behind Britain’s first domestic garden design and construction franchise) is celebrating its first year of trading. The company is delighted to announce a series of business coups that have exceeded all the expectations of the founding team and which includes securing provisional membership of the British Franchise Association.

 

Lime Orchard was established last April and represents a refreshingly new garden design and construction service, designed to appeal to homeowners looking for a national brand capable of delivering a reliable, high quality solution for their garden project. The company has enjoyed considerable success in actively seeking out experienced garden designers and landscape architects, to join Lime Orchard’s national team of specialists, headed up by Design Director and RHS Chelsea Flower Show award winning designer Ian Dexter, as well as securing the interest of a number of established landscape construction businesses interested in working with the company to build high quality, predominantly domestic projects. Lime Orchard has also forged links with a number of reputable garden centres looking to extend their portfolio of services by offering a complete design and build offering to their customers and the company has run a series of ‘Garden Design Clinics’ to raise awareness of the new service in-store.

 

With the Lime Orchard brand now firmly established as a key player in the garden design and build market as evidenced by an enviable portfolio of dramatic garden transformation projects, the company is now keen to focus on developing its franchise offering. Following the success of the initial Nottingham / Leicester franchise territory test market, the growth and development of the Lime Orchard franchise network will be a priority for 2010. The roll out of the franchise network will be driven by Judy Behl but with the added support and experienced guidance of Non Executive Chairman Mike Goddard (current chairman of the BFA and CEO / Founder of national lettings business Belvoir which now boasts 150 offices nationwide).

 

Commenting on the company’s progress, Judy Behl said, “Our extensive research and business planning to test the viability of the franchise concept, has paid off and we are delighted with the considerable progress made in the last 12 months. Lime Orchard is gaining an enviable reputation as a leading force in the garden transformation market and we have exceeded the sales forecasts for our first year of trading. In particular, we are gaining notoriety for the exceptional work we have done in delivering spectacular ‘outdoor classroom’ gardens in schools and we are also delighted to be associated with high profile projects such as Nottingham University’s entry to the European Solar Decathlon project*. Now that we have the secured the highly credible BFA accreditation we will be actively seeking out franchisees keen to develop their own Lime Orchard business opportunity. 

 

We are looking for prospects who are able to demonstrate proven sales and project management skills and who possess excellent communication skills. Lime Orchard franchisees will need to relate to the aspirations of our customers, and must demonstrate a clear understanding of the growing importance of a well designed outdoor room to our target audience. These skills combined with the innovation and creative flair of our national design team, balanced with the practical construction expertise of the local landscaper workforce, enables our franchisees to offer a compelling, high quality, cost-effective proposition to consumers. In return Lime Orchard franchisees will benefit from running a highly rewarding and profitable business, with the added undisputed appeal of a flexible lifestyle and an escape from the conventional 9-5 routine”.