Martin and Val Duggan, who previously worked for consumer brands, opened Signs Express (Leicester & Loughborough) at a 1,860sqm facility in Loughborough in late January. The new branch will serve the surrounding areas including Oadby, Wigston, Coalville, Castle Donington and Melton Mowbray.

The pair have long shared an ambition to run their own business as Martin Duggan accrued more than two decades’ experience in sales and marketing and Val Duggan worked as a senior buyer.

“The appeal of Signs Express was its status as the UK’s largest collective sign and graphics group,” said Martin Duggan. “It has been around a long time and with it comes a combination of experience, national leverage and technical support.

“It was a decision for us based in being competitive, as well as meeting the team and taking a liking to the culture.

“Val and I wanted to move forward from our commercial backgrounds and do something different. I think we can translate our experiences into a business that provides good service and engages with the local business community in the right way.”

Signs Express (Leicester & Loughborough) will largely serve SMEs in the immediate area, producing an assortment of signage and graphics applications including internal and external, health and safety signage, vehicle graphics and shop facias. It can also produce signs that are backlit or illuminated.

Alongside plotting and laminating equipment, the base runs a wide-format Mimaki eco-solvent printer.

Currently employing a third member of staff alongside themselves, Martin and Val Duggan will look to recruit at least one more member of staff in the next three months.

The Signs Express franchise continues to grow across the UK, with a new branch serving Colchester and Chelmsford in Essex also opening in January.