You don’t need to be Banffshire’s answer to Alan Sugar to say yes to Buckie’s latest business opportunity – but you do need one very special characteristic.
For established undertakers firm, Joe Dawson Funerals, is up for sale and owners Dave and Mary Lawrence are looking for the right person to take over.
“First and foremost you need to have empathy – for everything else we can mentor you,” said Mary who has led the successful business alongside her husband for the last 11 years.
Going concern
For offers over a cool £550,000 – and if you demonstrate the care and attention needed to look after grieving families and their deceased loved ones – you could become the proud owner of the business, its premises and the vehicle fleet.
This includes a seven-seater Land Rover Discovery, a hearse and your very own embalming suite.
But don’t worry if even the thought of formaldehyde makes you feel squeamish. The company’s four remaining staff are willing to stay on to help you.
“We actually have a girl who does the embalming and that’s her niche – she loves it.”
The couple also has 300 funeral plans on their books – meaning it’s a successful business with growth potential, in a great part of the world.
No experience required
Dave and Mary – who want to step back due to respective health issues – will be sad to leave the business they’ve built into one of the area’s most successful.
“We love our job,” said 59-year-old Mary, “We’ll initially carry on alongside whoever takes it on. We’ll make sure the same attention to detail and care we offer continues.”
Keen to point out that the new owner doesn’t need to have previous experience in funeral directing or undertaker work, they’re expecting a lot of interest.
“This is a good business, and whenever we put out an advert we get inundated with people wanting to work here. But I know better than anyone that this could become a dream job – because I had no experience either.”
Mary joined the business when she and Dave, who had worked for a local competitor, took over from Joe Dawson himself.
“If you can get on with folk and you can put yourself in their shoes, knowing how much this means to them, you can do this job.”
Finally, a rest
When the couple do finally wave goodbye to the premises – which comes complete with a four berth fridge and existing stock of coffins – they’re looking forward to going on holiday.
Mary added: “This has been our life’s work and we’ve chosen to work round the clock at times. However, I have to say it will be nice to be able to spend more time in the garden and to go on more holidays.
“The decision to leave is as a result of our health. I have prosthetic legs so I’m finding it hard to stand for long periods of time now, and David needs to have tighter control on his diabetes which can be difficult when you don’t work 9-5.
“We’ll be here as long as we’re needed, then we’ll enjoy a bit of a rest.”
You can find out more information about the business and property, which is being marketed by Stewart and Watson, here.
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