Some are taking their futures into their own hands with new Drain Doctor Plumbing franchises because, regardless of the economic climate, drains need unblocking and emergencies still happen.

Ben Carnell runs the Fife franchise, the smallest in the hundred-strong Drain Doctor network, driving turnover to over £10,000 per week.

He recently purchased a 7.5 tonne tanker in order to provide services requiring the movement of large quantities of waste.

He said: “The addition of the tanker to our fleet of vehicles means we can now tackle just about any job that the area produces.”

Aaron Clark and his sister Natalie recently took on the London South West franchise, doubling its weekly turnover in just four weeks.

Mr Clark, who at 24 is Drain Doctor’s youngest franchisee, said: “We chose a Drain Doctor franchise because it has a proven system that allows you to be an independent operator, with all the back-up that comes with being part of a national organisation.”

Information: www.draindoctor.co.uk