Leather specialists stitch up franchise growth

A leather repair specialist known for restoring Concorde seats and a sofa used by George Michael is expanding its UK franchise network.

Hull-based Leather Repair Company, founded by Richard and Carolynne Hutchins in 2007, is focusing on passing its restoration expertise to franchisees as interest in its services grows.

Its latest franchise partners, Cambridge couple Ahmad Sharafeldin and Riya Muni, have completed training at the company’s Hull workshops.

Their new franchise will cover Cambridgeshire, with Ahmad leading leather repair and restoration work while Riya focuses on administration and customer service.

The couple already operate a furniture delivery and restoration business and were introduced to Leather Repair Company through Cambridge Upholsterer owner Mantas Navickas, who trained with the firm two years ago.

Ahmad said: “From working with Mantas it became clear there’s a good market for leather repair and there are opportunities for us. 

“It’s a job where you never stop learning because there are always new ideas, new products and new customers who didn’t realise that their favourite leather items can be repaired and restored.

“It gives old things another lease of life rather than throwing them away. 

“It saves you money, it’s better for the environment and it makes you feel good when you know you can restore something you have had for a long time.”

Riya added: “Richard and Carolynne have helped us set up the business and get to know some of the other leather items we can work on. 

“They’ve repaired upholstery in homes and hotels as well as planes and boats and they’ve also worked on clothing, bags and saddles. 

“The work they did with Concorde and the sofa makes you think about all the famous people who must have used those seats, and the exciting opportunities which could arise for us.

“They’ve shown and explained things very clearly during our two weeks in Hull and we have turned into sponges while we’ve been here.

“One of the most important elements is learning how to deal with customers, managing their expectations, showing them how something will look after it has been restored and repaired and looking after them. 

“All of that gives us the confidence that we have come to the right place and we can do a good job for our customers.”

Leather Repair Company has built its profile through a number of high-profile projects.

In 2023, the team restored the sofa featured on George Michael’s Patience album, before working on all the seats aboard G-BOAC Concorde at Manchester’s Runway Visitor Park last year.

The project formed part of celebrations marking the aircraft’s 50th anniversary.

Richard and Carolynne have now stepped back from carrying out repair and restoration work themselves to concentrate on sharing their skills and supporting the growth of the company’s franchise network across the UK.

Richard added: “At the moment our focus is purely on developing franchising, training and our leather care products because we’ve received so many enquiries and we need to sort through those and identify the best candidates in the various locations all over the UK.

“Our portfolio shows you really can end up working on the most amazing projects because demand is increasing from people who want to recycle their own leather items, bringing new life to family heirlooms which might have been in the family for generations.

“We’ve got every confidence in our new franchisees because Ahmad has a great eye for perfection and detail, Riya is committed to providing a great service for customers and they both have incredible enthusiasm.”

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