A MAN who changed his career in the height of the pandemic has seen huge success in his new venture.

Simon Crowter, from Worthing, worked as logistics manager with a commercial transport business for 15 years before he saw one of his colleagues fatally collapse. 

The 46-year-old said his outlook on life was completely changed following the death and decided to reassess and change his future.

In June 2021, despite knowing virtually nothing about the market, he entered the world of outdoor garden decking as a franchisee for Lakeland Verandahs.

The Argus: Simon CrowterSimon Crowter

Simon said: “Witnessing a workmate pass away was a tragedy that will live with me forever. It had a profound effect on me. 

“It made me reassess my own life and I just had an overwhelming urge to start all over again and do something completely different.

“I had no job and didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I studied different franchise opportunities and I’d heard so many good things about Lakeland Verandahs that I thought ‘why not?’

“It’s important to do something that you really enjoy and I knew that transforming families’ outdoor living spaces would be really fulfilling for me. 

“I also knew that five other franchisees began trading at the same kind of time, so that gave me some optimism, too.”

The Argus: Lakeland Verandahs’ Simon Crowter reflects on a successful installation with happy customers Alan Homans and Jan Lovett, at their Pevensey Bay home.Lakeland Verandahs’ Simon Crowter reflects on a successful installation with happy customers Alan Homans and Jan Lovett, at their Pevensey Bay home.

Simon has actually posted £200,000 of sales in his first seven months from customers across the whole of Sussex, as well as Maidenhead, Guildford, Farnham and Gosport.

He predicts to bring in a further £80,000 of business in the short-term before his first full year is complete in July, where his 12-month target of £420,000 has not been ruled out.

Simon puts his success down to being hands-on by nature and keeping that simple philosophy of always having fun close to his heart.

Simon also pointed to Lakeland Verandahs’ “superior” products and thanked the company for its support.

He added: “Even if I’m four hours away, a member of the team will be prepared to come down and see me and the strength of a national brand like Lakeland Verandahs really goes a long way.

“I have learnt a lot while working on-site doing installations. We are learning and developing our skills a lot with the help from head of business development Paul Yates.”

For more information about Lakeland Verandahs and its franchise opportunities, visit https://www.lakelandverandahs.co.uk/