Are you aware of our One Stop Shop area in Sandwell Council House? Every Friday, we arrange for local businesses to take up valuable exhibition space in the council head office foyer in Oldbury, letting them showcase their products and services to the hundreds of employees and members of the public who pass through.

The scheme helps to promote local goods and services, showing people what an exciting range of businesses are operating right here on their doorsteps.

On Friday 30 April it was the turn of Richard Woodward from new franchise business Hometyre to set up a stall in the One Stop Shop. Richard's Cradley Heath firm, which has been trading since February 2010, provides mobile tyre fitting and wheel-alignment services for many different kinds of vehicles. Instead of taking your car to a garage for replacement tyres, Richard will come to you, with no call-out charge. 

This turned out to be a popular offering for the dozens of people passing through Sandwell Council House that day, as Richard secured six or seven direct leads - five of which have already converted into solid business.

Thanks to permission from the Highways Agency, Richard was able to park his van directly outside in Civic Square and use it to promote Hometyre's services.

"I would certainly do it again, as One Stop Shop has been the best promotional event I've ever done. On top of the fact that it was free, it outperformed other events that I've had to pay to exhibit at," said Richard. "My colleague and I got a very favourable response from people, many of whom didn't realise you could even get a mobile tyre-fitting service! I was even able to help a Sandwell Council worker who had a puncture on the day. It turned out not to be repairable on the spot, but I went out to her later to supply a new tyre."

You can call Hometyre on 0800 783 9310, email info@hometyre.co.uk or visit www.hometyre.co.uk.

Well done to Richard, who has attended two finditinsandwell Breakfast Clubs already and secured business from both. Do you have some good news to share? Email stephen_massey@sandwell.gov.uk today.