The Zip Yard exhibits at The Irish Franchise Exhibition

Make do and mend... and MAKE MONEY

The Zip Yard Franchise at The Irish Franchise Exhibition 21st and 22nd November, RDS Dublin

The Zip Yard garment alterations business is already operating a successful franchise operation in Northern Ireland.  In 2005 Brian Kielt and Bob Turner, two young entrepreneurs identified a niche in an industry which has always been part of the fabric of our society, yet never managed in a consistent and efficient manner.  The business was mending clothes. Few people actually conform to typical High Street sizes and in the days of financial restraint they are more likely to mend a garment rather than discard it.

Within a week of opening their first shop on a busy road in East Belfast people came flocking in with alterations ranging from men’s suits to women’s jeans, broken zips, curtains, special occasion dresses and school uniforms.  Then the phone started ringing from other parts of Belfast and surrounding towns.  The demand for expansion was so rapid that franchising was the obvious route.  Zip Yard is the only garment alteration franchise in Ireland.

Turner and Kielt knew they were onto a winner but what really set them apart was their business model. Kielt explains ‘We wanted to build brand awareness quickly so we designed a clever logo with a Zip in to the Y in bright bold yellow with contrasting black.  Cleanliness, efficient stitchers working in full public view, fast turnaround, service and integrated computer systems between shops and head office has  been key to our success. Every franchisee is totally supported by Bob and myself.  People do not need to come from a garment background.  All systems are in place and we assist in finding the right stitchers.  Given that we were once the greatest shirt makers in the world there is nothing new about the concept of sewing.  We have simply modernised an industry which was crying out to be reinvented.’
 

The Zip Yard opened its first shop on the Belmont Road on 2005.  The yellow logo and the name Zip Yard was inspired by the Samson and Goliath cranes of the famous Belfast Ship Yard which could be viewed from the shop.

Current franchise branches are on the Lisburn Road, Belfast, Andersonstown, Belfast, Bangor and Holywood.  Discussions are underway with a franchise in Newry and plans are ready to move across key towns in Northern Ireland, ROI and GB.