Weight loss clinic seeks to expand

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 14:41

TINA O'Doherty, the entrepreneur behind Scotland's Inch Loss Clinic, is to expand the business with a licence agreement across the UK.

The firm, which specialises in weight loss and well-being treatments based on electrical impulse technology, is looking to increase its turnover to 10m as it targets more than 50 clinics.

Finance director Billy Dolan says that the business model has proved itself in Scotland and the strategy now is to target the wealth of other clinics, spas and beauty salons that have emerged within the last decade.

He said: "When we created the company in 2003 the model was to open a clinic every year. That phase of the business is now complete with sites in Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Falkirk and Hamilton. The plan now is to roll out the brand across the UK. We decided that rather than franchise the concept we would offer it as a licence agreement which in an economic downturn makes it more of an affordable proposition."

Dolan says that negotiations are in place for three clinics in Ireland, one in Jersey and two more in Scotland. He added: "This is a tremendous opportunity for a like-minded business to grow by introducing a highly profitable proven concept, at minimal cost – especially now, when businesses are looking for other ways to develop, but can't get the financial support." Dolan said the company was already in serious negotiations with interested parties.

The license agreement, which cuts the initial investment to the minimum with ongoing fees that are self-financing, includes supply and installation of equipment, staff training, marketing and PR support plus exclusive rights to an agreed territory.