Australian franchise rights go to Scot

Published on Monday 14 September 2009 21:31

THE Australia-based speciality home retailing company Howards Storage World is to open a chain of stores across Britain and has awarded the master franchisee rights to a Scottish businessman.

Howards intends to have 50 outlets in five years with the first opening in Livingston next month. The company believes its expansion will create 600 jobs and a turnover of 50 million.

Former investment banker Martin Brown has secured the UK franchise rights and will oversee the firm's roll-out in the UK.

The company was established in 1998 and now has 64 stores in Australia and 18 others internationally, including in New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Dubai and Ireland.

Howards Storage World is one of the fastest growing brands in Australia with revenue growth of more than 45 per cent in the last three years.

Brown said: "I have been looking for some time to do something on my own and the company will fill a gap in the UK market."

Brown, from Addiewell in West Lothian, is joined by former Land Securities' leasing director David Smith, whose previous role involved attracting retailers to The Centre in Livingston.