Profits wiped out in 'a difficult year'

The Service Referral Bureau was started from scratch in April, 1997, by Aaron Barry, with help from the Bradford-based Morrison Trust and Business Link Bradford & District.

He opened SRB in Parkgate House, Little Germany with one staff member and now has a worker in each of the firm's new offices in Harrogate and Leeds.

"I have had the idea of being a national operation from the beginning and one of the best ways of doing that is to set up a series of franchises," he said.

"The firm has been on a rollercoaster since we set up and franchising will be one of the best ways of growing the company."

SRB provides a free service for firms and individuals looking for the most appropriate professional - such as a solicitor, estate agent, independent financial adviser or accountant.

The company charges an annual fee to the professional firm on its database, which it refers to the company or individual in need of advice. SRB has combined the databases of its three offices to create a huge list of professional advisers throughout the Yorkshire region.

It has also diversified by setting up a bulk purchasing arm which provides equipment that firms need at discount prices.

The company now has so many names of firms on its database it gives it significant buying power and large discounts for its members.

"This helps the smaller firm by them being able to buy at lower cost - something they might otherwise be struggling to purchase while giving the larger firms a discount as well," Mr Barry said.

"The bulk purchase scheme will save our members time and money. The suppliers are all of the highest standards.

"We are also starting waiting lists for new members in some areas where our bureau is full.

"Waiting members may also take advantage of the purchasing scheme. The discounts we have already achieved are very impressive."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.