Aberdeen-based Gold Star Cleaning has secured funding from Royal Bank of Scotland to ease cashflow pressures and secure the company’s future during the pandemic.
When the first COVID-19 restrictions were introduced in Spring, the cleaning and maintenance firm immediately turned its attention to diversifying its offering to overcome the impact of coronavirus and safeguard jobs.
The funding package provided the business with additional security and peace of mind, allowing them to focus on servicing its clients wherever possible and following the strictest health and safety guidelines. It also enabled them to retain all 150 staff members and has assisted with cashflow for wages.
Established in 1980, Gold Star Cleaning – Aberdeen’s longest running family-owned firm – is run by Scott Willox and his wife Rachel following the couple’s takeover from Scott’s father in 2006.
Covering Aberdeen and the north of Scotland, Gold Star specialises in both commercial and domestic cleaning, providing everything from carpet and upholstery cleaning, window and cladding services, builders clean and waste management to gardening and fire and flood damage cleans.
With a longstanding commitment to support their local community, when lockdown was announced Scott and Rachel quickly put in place a number of schemes to help their elderly and vulnerable clients by offering initiatives such as free shopping services.
Director Scott Willox said: “At the beginning of the year, we could never have anticipated the impact coronavirus would have on our business. It has undoubtedly been the biggest challenge we have faced in our 40-year history. However, the incredible support we have received from Royal Bank of Scotland has enabled us to navigate our way through the crisis.
“Carol, our relationship manager, fully understood our requirements as a business from the outset and has been really helpful throughout the whole process, enabling us to secure the funding quickly and obtain a safety net.”
Carol Gray, Relationship Manager at the Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “The way Gold Star Cleaning has adapted to the challenging times over the last few months is a real testament to its leadership and sustainable business model. I’m really pleased we’ve been able to support the team during this period and I’m confident the company will continue to thrive in the North East as the pandemic subsides.”
