A FORMER roofer, left out of work by the economic downturn, is operating his own environmentally friendly bin-cleaning business.

Craig Richardson, from Consett, County Durham, attracted more than 400 customers in three months after starting the service cleaning wheelie bins, garden bins and recycling bins across Derwentside.

Not only does the 28-year-old’s VIP Bin Cleaning service business make the environment better for residents, it is also environmentally friendly.

Mr Richardson works from a mobile cleaning unit, which uses biodegradable cleaning products and houses an onboard waterrecycling facility.

He started the business through Be Franchising, a not-for-profit company set up by Be Enterprising, County Durham’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative, which aims to inspire enterprise and bring about measurable changes in the area.

Be Franchising has purchased the master licence for the North- East from worldwide wheelie bin cleaning operation, VIP Bin Cleaning. Under this arrangement, Be Franchising employs individuals looking to start their own business, offering them the opportunity to buy the business at a later date, once it is sustainable and profitable.

Part of that process includes assistance to obtain adequate funding from the leading banks.

Mr Richardson, who hopes to take over the business as a franchisee in the next 12 months, said: “I am working really hard to make the franchise a success and once I have learnt more about running the operation I would love to take it on as my own.”