A new business in Barrow is already looking to expand thanks to the support of the local community

Colin Rigg, 33, only officially launched Clean Away, a mobile valeting service, last month but is planning on ways to take it to the next level after tasting initial success.

The former coach driver, who worked in the industry for eight years, pivoted into a new career as a mental health support worker in 2022.

Clean Away offers car valeting, as well as cleaning gutters, driveways, patios, decking, walls, and housesClean Away offers car valeting, as well as cleaning gutters, driveways, patios, decking, walls, and houses (Image: Submitted)

Colin said: "I wanted to try to make a difference in Barrow with the stigma around mental health after losing one of my best friends to suicide.

"But I was recently made redundant and I've got children who rely on my income, which is when I received a message from Mark."

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Mark Simpson is the man behind Getaway Travel and has helped inspire Colin into taking this big leap into the business world.

"I started doing bits for him here and there but it wasn't enough to pay my bills."

"Ever since I passed my my test, my cars have been my pride and joy - rain, snow or shine, I was always out cleaning my car.

"One day, on my day off, I was in Mark's yard cleaning my car and he stood back and watched me, before suggesting that I do it as a job to top up my wages." 

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Not having the funds to buy his own van, Colin received financial backing from Mark on the arrangement he cleans and maintains the Getaway vehicles each day.

"I took the risk after Mark's push and I was amazed at the response I got from people wanting their cars cleaned.

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"Each day, I've got a new booking - I think why I stand out from the rest is I treat every car as if it were my own.

"Business is that good at the moment I'm already looking for a bigger van so I can expand the business into other cleaning areas and hopefully in the next few weeks I'll be taking someone on so I can get more work in and work faster."

If you would like to find out more or book an appointment with Clean Away, then you can contact Colin at Enquiries.cleanaway@gmail.com or 01229 433433.