Professor Roy Seaman, managing director of Franchise Development Services based in Norwich.; Photo by Simon Finlay

The boss of Norwich-based Franchise Development Services is predicting a bumper 2012 as businesses look to franchising as the means to expand their companies.

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While most analysts are predicting a tough year ahead for the economy amid expectations that many firms could go to the wall in 2012, Roy Seaman, managing director of Franchise Development Services (FDS) said that with major banks like NatWest, HSBC, Lloyds TSB last year lending than more than ever before both to companies wishing to expand by franchising and to individuals who want to be their own bosses, the outlook for franchising remained positive.

He said his company, whose headquarters is in Surrey Street, had been working hard with banks to make sure funds would be made available and he was “very satisfied” with the reactions on the banks.

“When we look back to the year 2000, we can see that there has been 50pc growth in both the number of new franchisors and new franchise owners,” Prof Seaman said. “In fact, since the company first began in 1981, there has been growth in franchising year on year.

“Norwich is known throughout the United Kingdom as ‘Franchise City’ with more than 120 retail outlets trading within the city walls.”

According to FDS, there were 150 new companies that have joined the 1,500 companies already offering a franchise in the UK in 2011, while franchising is projected to grow jobs into 2012 by at least 10pc and the number of new franchisors is once again likely to exceed 100. January 27 also sees the start of a series of FDS seminars for those interested in finding out more about franchising.

Prof Seaman cited the example of CeX, which specialises in buying, selling, exchanging and donating products, including mobile phones, video games, DVDs, computers, electronic gadgets and CDs and opened a regional flagship store in Norwich in St Stephens and he said was trading above its expectations.

“It is currently looking for new franchise owners in Norfolk and has recently awarded a franchise for a store in Great Yarmouth,” he added. “It is also seeking to open new stores in Thetford, King’s Lynn, Dereham and Bury St Edmunds, bring more jobs to these towns.”