Putting You in the Frame

By: Trowbridge Gallery | 5 Shares 135 Reads

February 01, 2008 // Franchising.com // - Trowbridge Gallery is set for a healthy UK expansion this year. It has just completed a major refurbishment of its flagship store on the Kings Road, London, opened a new gallery in Tunbridge Wells at the end of last year, is launching a Factory Shop in February and has its sights set on two new locations opening in the Spring – one in North London, the other in the West Country.

It is all part of a vigorous franchising campaign, which the company kicked off a year ago.

The multi-million pound international art company aims to open between five and ten more boutique-style outlets on high streets and in good secondary locations by the end of 2008, and is looking for suitable franchise partners.

For the past 25 years Trowbridge has been supplying high-end artwork to the interior design trade throughout the world, and last year it decided to bring their exclusive collections to the High Street by establishing a string of galleries throughout the UK.

For the past year the company has been refining its franchise package by running the programme through its long-established London gallery on the Kings Road, Fulham.

Trowbridge's Managing Director, Rob Cork, said: "We have worked hard at getting the franchise package right. We have looked at everything from the artwork we will offer, and the design detail of the galleries, to IT and management support systems.

"We believe that we have set ourselves a realistic target – one that accommodates a steady growth of our infrastructure and enables us to give our franchisees the highest level of support.

"We want to ensure that our franchise partners are confident that they will be given every help possible to make their new business a success. We will be offering help to locate and set up new premises and, once the business is up and running, offer full marketing assistance through advertising in our own interiors magazine and our website."

The company is using Mike Bell, an established franchise consultant, to help make sure it delivers the opportunity that potential franchisee's are looking for.

Adds Cork: "Since the launch, Trowbridge has had a lot of interest in its new opportunity. We've gone to great lengths to iron out any creases in the business model, and the success of both the Kings Road gallery and the new outlet in Tunbridge Wells demonstrate that we are on the right track. Right now, we're also offering an incentivised franchise fee of just £6,500 to encourage people to join the network."

Those interested in Trowbridge Gallery as a franchise opportunity should contact Rob Cork on 01892 667 600 or visit www.trowbridgegallery.com where a wide body of Trowbridge Gallery's work can be seen.

To arrange interviews, and obtain additional information and photographs contact Matthew Pigott, MP-PR: Phone: 01932 244 679; Mobile: 07903 723 898; Email: matt@mp-pr.com