A Walsall-based window cleaning business is set to improve safety and increase its operational capacity after securing a £2,250 grant from Walsall Business Support.
S Burns Window Cleaner, led by Steven Burns, has been operating since 1998 when Steven became self-employed after working in the trade with his father throughout the 1990s.
Following his father moving into another business, Steven took over the window cleaning work and has continued to build a long-standing customer base over more than 30 years.
The business provides regular exterior and interior window cleaning services along with gutter and fascia cleaning. Its customer base is mainly domestic households, alongside several long-term commercial clients including engineering firms, saddlery firms and the NHS.
The grant will be used to purchase a gutter vacuum system with an inspection camera to allow guttering to be checked from ground level, along with a generator to power the equipment where electrical supply is not available.
Steven Burns, Director of S Burns Window Cleaner, said: “I am really pleased to receive this support from Walsall Business Support. It will allow me to work much more safely from the ground rather than using ladders and it will also open up jobs that have previously been too dangerous or impossible to access.
“The new equipment will mean I no longer have to turn work down and will help me increase my workload by taking on more gutter cleaning jobs. It is a big step forward for the business and will make a real difference to how I work day-to-day.”
Led by leading business figures to distribute funds collected from the legacy of Walsall Chamber of Commerce, Walsall Business Support funds projects to enhance the borough’s economy.
Walsall Business Support board member, Rob Colbourne, said: “We are pleased to support S Burns Window Cleaner as they invest in safer working methods and new equipment. Their commitment to improving efficiency and expanding their services is a great example of a long-standing local business adapting and growing in Walsall.”
Looking ahead, Steven aims to continue improving the business. He has already introduced a water-fed pole system to improve safety and efficiency and hopes to grow his customer base further while potentially involving his sons in the business in the future, continuing the family tradition that began with his father.
Walsall Business Support offers grants and a free training needs analysis to businesses looking to generate growth, create employment or shape training opportunities within the borough of Walsall.
Applications can be made using an online form on the WBS website by businesses seeking investment in new projects or wishing to improve skills. To apply, click www.walsallbusinesssupport.co.uk/apply-now/