Safestyle to create 200 new jobs as demand surges

With help from local MPs, the Bradford-based firm teamed up with other double glazing firms to lobby the Government to get clarity on the scheme, which goes live at the end of September.

The Government had announced that homeowners in England would be able to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to install energy efficiency improvements. The project is part of the Government’s green recovery from the pandemic and it is hoped the scheme will create 100,000 construction jobs.

However, there was confusion as to whether home grants would apply to the replacement of existing double glazing. Following the industry’s efforts, the Government has confirmed it will not apply to replacing existing double glazing.

Safestyle was concerned, as people had suddenly paused their buying plans for new windows after the Chancellor stood up in the Commons to deliver his Budget.

This had a negative hit on sales just as the industry was coming out of the pandemic, so Safestyle’s CEO Mike Gallacher led the industry on a lobbying effort to get some clarity from the Government.

“The Government’s Green Homes Grant scheme was announced on July 8 and it had an immediate effect across the industry,” he said.

“A lot of customers were confused. It caused an immediate halt in the market and it impacted our growth. We had been growing.

“Much of our industry was impacted very heavily. There are a lot of small to medium sized double glazers across Yorkshire. Customers cancelled and put their purchases on hold.”

Mr Gallacher said it was important for the industry to get its message across to the Government quickly.

“It was good to see the industry and industry associations come together,” he said

“We had a Zoom meeting with the Trade Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, last Friday. As soon as the Government became properly aware, they released a clarification. Consumer champion Martin Lewis had been telling people to stop buying double glazing, but he’s now clarified it.

“The decision has allowed the industry to say to customers you can progress. For us, it’s confirmed our ability to go ahead and recruit 200 people.”

He said that Safestyle is growing by about 20 per cent because consumers are at home. Many are not going on holiday and have decided to invest in their homes instead.

“Our people are wearing PPE and customers are being very welcoming in their homes,” he said.

“Philip Davies and Alexander Stafford, who are our local MPs, took on the issue and wrote to Business Minister, Kwasi Kwarteng which led to a meeting last week with Minister Nadhim Zahawi. It was great to get the support from the local MPs who were very supportive because of the positive impact on local employment.

“We will have around 2,000 people after our employment drive.

“We are looking for people in our call centres, processing in Bradford and factory installation, so it’s across the board.”

When the Government scheme was announced last month, the industry suffered a 30 per cent drop in double glazing in a fortnight as customers were forced to wait to see if they were eligible for the Green Homes Grant.

Eight major window firms and trade suppliers joined forces in a letter to the Government demanding a solution.