A CLEANING firm is re-emerging from the coronavirus lockdown with the creation of 10 new jobs.

The Helping Hands Group already employs 30 staff and is now looking to expand with both full and part-time cleaning supervisor and driver-cleaning roles.

The Mellor Brook-based company, which was founded in 1999, had to furlough staff at the start of the Covid crisis, but says thanks to its loyal customer base it is now back and looking to grow.

Owner Suzanne Waring said: “As the pandemic took hold, it was a case of batten down the hatches. There have been some dark times not just for us but for many businesses and that included having to furlough staff at the beginning.

“I never thought for one minute we would be in this situation but I am truly thankful to our existing customer base who has not only supported us through such a difficult and unprecedented time but thanks to them, we have our core team back and even now see ourselves emerge stronger as a result and in the position of being able to recruit.”

The new roles will be based out of the head office in Mellor Brook and will see the successful candidates manage their team and oversee both domestic and commercial cleaning duties as well as other domestic services such as laundry and ironing that the firm offers.

Suzanne added: “This is the perfect opportunity for someone to join a committed team who may have been furloughed and unsure as to when or even if they can return; or someone even made redundant through no fault of their own.

“We offer a dedicated training package and want to ensure that we can give something back to the community in some small way to keep the local economy moving in the right direction and the creation of 10 new roles does just that.”

Ian Brown, Chair of Blackburn with Darwen Hive business network said: “ Suzanne and her team should be extremely proud of how they have adapted and emerged to changing circumstances over the past few months.

“It gives me great satisfaction in seeing a local business with such an excellent reputation emerge from this and creating jobs which in turn instils the confidence we need that we are now seeing the wheels of businesses start to turn again as lockdown eases, others re-open and people go back to work.”

Last month the Lancashire Telegraph launched its Back In Business campaign, supporting firms who are getting back on their feet after the coronavirus disruption.