Leeds cleaning firm to create 100 jobs as it expands across Pennines

A Leeds cleaning and maintenance company that started life as a small domestic window cleaning operation is preparing to create up to 100 new jobs as it targets its next major phase of growth.

Clearchoice, founded by entrepreneur Paul Broadbent in August 2011 and developed alongside business partner Martyn Best, has grown into a commercial cleaning and maintenance business employing more than 200 people and serving over 1,000 customers.

Now, 15 years after launching, the company is targeting a workforce of at least 300 by 2027 as it prepares to expand its operations into Manchester and the wider North West.

It marks the latest chapter in a Leeds success story built on determination, an enduring business relationship and a commitment to earning the trust of customers.

Its client portfolio now includes some of the region's best-known businesses, with work undertaken for Seabrook Crisps, Express Bi-Folding Doors, Morley Glass & Glazing, The Cut & Craft restaurant and Caddick Construction.

In the early days, Paul worked 14-hour shifts, knocking on doors and building a customer base one job at a time.

One of his first major commercial opportunities came after spotting a newly constructed Leeds office building covered in dust from nearby demolition work. He approached the owners, secured a window cleaning contract and subsequently won a much larger job cleaning the building's exterior cladding.

The work took place in winter, with water turning to ice as it hit the building, but it helped establish Clearchoice's move into the commercial market.

Martyn, an experienced businessman who had previously built businesses in another industry, joined Paul after the pair met through mutual friends.

Paul's hands-on approach and determination to win new work complemented Martyn's experience of building and developing businesses, creating a relationship the pair describe as "yin and yang".

Paul Broadbent, co-founder of Clearchoice, said: "When we started, I was out knocking on doors for 14 hours a day, trying to build the business one customer at a time. I remember getting one of our first big commercial jobs and cleaning the cladding on a building in November. It was so cold the water was freezing as it hit the building, but I was just buzzing to have the opportunity.

"I'd never built a business before, but Martyn brought that experience of growing businesses. We complemented each other, and it's been a fantastic relationship ever since."

That relationship has helped Clearchoice evolve into a business providing commercial cleaning, specialist cleaning and maintenance services across Yorkshire and beyond.

The contrast with its humble beginnings is considerable, but the founders say their approach remains unchanged. Some customers have worked with Clearchoice since 2011, with the company expanding its services in response to requests from clients who wanted a trusted supplier to take care of more of their cleaning and maintenance requirements.

Today, the business provides everything from routine office and school cleaning to specialist industrial cleans, commercial gutter cleaning, builders' cleans and property maintenance.

The Covid-19 pandemic marked another important chapter in its development.

With schools and offices closing during lockdown, Clearchoice faced the prospect of losing substantial amounts of contracted work. Rather than accept the downturn, the founders sought out opportunities with businesses and premises that remained operational, providing additional deep cleaning and high-touch-point cleaning services.

The company emerged from the period with an expanded service offering and a determination to continue building on its reputation.

Martyn Best, co-founder of Clearchoice, said: "Covid was a real test for us. We had schools and offices closing, which meant contracts we relied on were suddenly disappearing.

"We could have accepted the situation, but instead we looked at where the opportunities were and went out to find that work. That's always been our approach – you can't control everything that happens in the economy, but you can control how you respond to it."