A WEBSITE set up by a builder to help Sale residents find trustworthy tradesmen has secured its first franchises in Altrincham and Hale.

Meandmymates.com was thought-up by dad-of-two Dominic Kent, from Sale Moor, in 2014, after customers kept asking him to recommend people they could trust.

Until now the hyperlocal site had focussed on businesses within the M33 postcode area of the south Manchester town.

But now Dominic, has granted two franchise agreements which will see the meandmymates.com model rolled out into of Hale and Altrincham.

Nigel Peacock is the Altrincham franchisee. The Hale franchisee is Steve McQueeny

Dominic said: “We know the model is scalable, but finding the right people to make it work has been a key concern.

“Meandmymates.com isn’t just a listings website. All profit goes back into the community – whether that be through sponsoring sports clubs, charities or supporting local business in some other way.

“Meandmymates.com is part of the community, and that’s why it’s so important to find the right people to run it in their area.”

The idea has proved such a hit that as well as tradespeople it now lists a whole host of services from plumbers and electricians to yoga and restaurants – all located within the Sale area.

Dominic added: “We are all really excited to see if the same can be achieved in Sale and Altrincham. No doubt there will be problems along the way, but that’s what makes it a challenge.

“The idea behind meandmymates.com was simple – I wouldn’t have anyone on there who I wouldn’t happily recommend to my own mum.

“It started off with my immediate friends and colleagues, but as more people wanted to register on the site I made sure I visited every single one and checked their references.

“It’s a time-consuming process, but I want it to be a place where great local people can find great local businesses.”