Three friends who started a loft boarding and insulation business with a rented van, storage unit and £5,000 of their own money have expanded their operation into Kent.
Kevin Baker, Richard Blane and Neal Thorne founded Amazing Lofts at the height of the cost-of-living crisis after quitting their jobs and have turned over £4 million in their first two years of trading.
They now employ over 35 full-time staff and will create six jobs locally after cutting the ribbon on a new depot near Orpington.
The depot will serve as the firm’s South East headquarters with the capability to cover all of Kent and stretch as far west as Portsmouth.
Amazing Lofts’ growth and expansion into Kent follows a poll of 2,000 homeowners by EDF Energy which revealed 30% had never entered their loft. Fears of falling, dirt, poor lighting and spiders are among the most common reasons people avoid lofts.
Kevin Baker, CEO of Amazing Lofts, described lofts as the forgotten room of UK homes and believes many homeowners aren’t tapping into their true potential.
He said: “We saw an opportunity and grasped it with both hands. In the beginning, our friends and family thought we were crazy for starting Amazing Lofts – some even told us not to do it.
“But we had confidence behind our vision, and we’re pleased to grow the business into Kent. If you have faith in your product and the team around you, back yourself and go for it.
“Too often, we see loft spaces neglected when they can be transformed into a convenient storage space which helps a home retain its heat during the colder months.
“Lofts are essentially the woolly hat for your home – so having the space properly insulated is important.”
Founded in Banbury, Oxfordshire, Amazing Lofts’ team of fitters have already worked on some of the UK’s most historic buildings, including Oxford University’s Wadham College – once attended by Sir Christopher Wren.
The team’s services help create convenient space for storage and improve homeowners’ energy efficiency through insulation, with the average home saving £315 annually on their heating bills.
Kevin added: “We go to excessive lengths to make our homes have that feel of warmth, but forget the area which is most susceptible to losing heat – our lofts.
“They’re often neglected and forgotten about, which is where we help. We insulate lofts to reduce energy bills and board them to provide storage space.
“It was a bold move to begin a new startup in such unnerving times economically. But it’s paid off and we’re really pleased to launch our operation in Kent.”
