Bristol removals firm Move On unveils nationwide expansion plan - starting with Swindon

Bristol removals firm Move On Removals and Storage is preparing to roll out plans for the UK’s first boutique removals franchise.

The firm, which has a team of ten people, has already grown by ten times since being established in early 2020.

Now joint managing directors Richard Batten and Joanne Kallevik say the time is right for the next phase of the company’s growth, which involves launching a nationwide franchising model with the ultimate aim of becoming international.

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“Removals has always been in my family and I think it always be in my blood, so founding Move On was like a dream come true,” says Richard Batten.

“My Grandad was director of a big removals and storage company which operated around 15 trucks and one of my first memories, when I was two years old, was riding in the front seat of one of his Bedford Pantechnicon lorries as we drove around the yard.

“I started as a sole trader in 2014, originally using a short wheel-based Transit van which I already had from my previous job.

“I worked in the construction industry and after losing my Dad to cancer in 2013 I was looking for a new direction, something that gave me more freedom to spend time with family and live life to the full.

"Jo joined the business in 2018, followed by her sister Helen, who is now a senior member of our leadership team, making it a fully-fledged family business.

“We’ve grown by a factor of ten in three years and our business model is now at a point where we can scale up. Our ten-year vision at Move On is to become the world’s number one boutique removals franchise company and we will embark on this next stage in 2024. This will be achieved by ‘one move at a time’ as our customers and team are our number one priority.”

Richard says the first Move On franchise will be established in Newport or Swindon.

“We will own the first operation and it will be based relatively near to Bristol, so we can test out the systems with our own manager in place.

“Currently we move people to and from the Bristol and Bath area, across the entire UK, and we’re able to compete with the likes of Pickfords, Britannia and GB Liners by occupying a niche in the market.

"Being individualistic and offering a personalised service during what is one of the most stressful times in people’s lives is our driven boutique vision to make this a service and relationship that customers will reflect on and use again for many years to come.

“This involves an in-depth phone consultation or online if clients prefer at the start of the process which can then lead to a full survey where we can make special arrangements for items of sentimental value and carefully package up things like favourite clothes and valuable furniture and appliances.

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“Establishing a Move On franchise covering the four nations of the UK was our dream form the start and if all goes well, we can use this as a springboard to move into European moves and ultimately, into worldwide shipping.”

Move On Removals and Storage was one of four businesses nominated in the trusted trader category at the recent Which? awards, held at Euston Square in London.

Richard Batten said: “Which? is such a trusted and respected brand and being nominated at the awards was the biggest day in the company’s life so far. We’ve been a ‘trusted trader’ for three years but nonetheless, we didn’t know that we’d been shortlisted and it totally blew us away.”