THERE’S a new broom in Lyme Bay – Poppies Cleaning of Lyme Bay is under new ownership and new boss Clare Round has started to make her mark.

She said: “In the first six weeks I’ve already overseen a 10 per cent growth in the business. We’re based in Wootton Fitzpaine near Charmouth and with 14 permanent staff we’re an established local employer and I have more expansion plans up my sleeve.” Clare is a chartered accountant. Originally from Devon, she achieved success on the island of Guernsey both at accountants KPMG and then in the taxation division of multinational company Specsavers. Her last post on the island was as a lecturer in taxation.

On returning to the West Country Clare was impressed by the way in which Poppies does business and took the decision to make it her next career move.

Poppies is already an established business model known throughout the UK and started some 30 years ago by Dorset business woman Sue Rorstad MBE. The traditional core market is domestic and although there has been a predominance of older clients, this is no longer the case. Clare said: “Younger people, who want as much leisure time as possible, are seeing the benefits of comprehensive, domestic support. Poppies cleaners arrive with all the right eco-friendly products and their own vacuum. Housekeeping can be completely delegated.”

Poppies Lyme Bay extends from Sidmouth to Weymouth and then north of Dorchester as far as the A303. She added: “With towns like Poundbury attracting so many new people into the county I’m excited by the changes happening in Dorset.

“It’s a great time for a new broom!”