The banks are providing £150k of sponsorship to FranchisingWorks, which is being piloted in

Greater Manchester. The programme's core aim is to reduce unemployment by creating new

businesses and jobs through franchising.

FranchisingWorks is part of The Shaftesbury Partnership and was launched in Manchester

earlier this year. The programme is backed by NESTA , the Association of Greater Manchester

Authorities (AGMA), and Manchester's New Economy.

During the course off the next eight months, the pilot aims to provide 50 unemployed local

residents with the opportunity to become a self employed franchisee. Each candidate accepted

onto the FranchisingWorks programme goes through a structured training programme designed

to equip them with the key business skills needed to run a franchise.

FranchisingWorks also provides financial support to buy franchise licences for those successful

candidates who are unable to cover the full cost themselves. Once the new business becomes

profitable the candidate can buy the licence from FranchisingWorks and repay the initial

investment.

One of the first candidates to complete the programme was Stockport-based Colin Hughes,

who was made redundant in November 2010 after a 25-year career in various corporate roles.

With FranchisingWorks' support and training, Colin started his franchise business VIP Bin

Cleaning in May. The business provides a wheelie bin cleaning service for domestic and

commercial customers in South Manchester (see separate case study).

Graeme Jones, Head of Franchising for NatWest & RBS: "As the leading bank for franchising in

the UK, we are delighted to support this initiative that will help a number of local people get

back into work by starting their own franchise. By helping to reduce unemployment and create

new businesses the FranchisingWorks programme has the potential to create a lasting and

positive impact in Greater Manchester."

Simon McNeill-Ritchie, Founder and Managing Director of FranchisingWorks: "Franchising is a

proven way to create local, sustainable jobs. Thanks to the support we have received from

NatWest & RBS and others we have already been able to help a number of people in Greater

Manchester out of unemployment by starting up their own businesses. And as their businesses

grow, I expect to see further job opportunities emerge for other local people.