Mr Soot today announced it is opening a HETAS approved training centre.

Located in Wigan town centre, the facility has been specially-designed with a variety of solid fuel training rigs, classroom, meeting room and offices over two floors.

As a HETAS approved centre, it is able to offer a selection of HETAS courses. In addition, business workshops and seminars for sole traders, micro businesses and SMEs will be held at the venue.

And it will be home to Mr Soot Chimney Sweep’s very own in-house Training Academy Programme – an intensive pathway to a career in the industry for the company’s new sweep technicians.

Sam Garrahan, Co-Owner, Director and Centre Manager, said: “We are delighted to be launching a modern, professional training centre in the heart of Wigan.

“The location was specifically chosen due to its brilliant transport links. Not only is it just minutes from the M6 motorway, but it has fantastic railway connections.

“Set over two floors, we’ve sought to make it a pleasant and vibrant environment in which to learn. Our emphasis will be on making it a real national centre of excellence, and we can’t wait to get started.”

David Sudworth, Co-Owner and Managing Director, said: “This is a massive step forward for the Mr Soot brand. 

“From just myself and a van, we have grown the company into a multi-vehicle operation, with offices and trained sweep technicians serving the whole of Wigan and large parts of the region, including Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Stockport and Warrington.

“As the company has grown, so has the need for a dedicated training centre for our technicians. And thanks to our partnership with HETAS, we are able to offer a range of accredited courses to solid fuel professionals of both today and the future.

“Mr Soot has always stood for professionalism and innovation; delivering what customers want and continually striving to raise standards.

“By unveiling of a modern, bespoke training centre, we have demonstrated our commitment to investing in both the local economy and future of our industry.”

HETAS Head of Training, Carrie Artus (pictured above), said: “As the industry leading training provider, we want to ensure that only the best training centres offer our range of courses.

“We can see the passion and enthusiasm of the Mr Soot team to provide quality training to industry stakeholders and this centre complements our existing network across the UK.”

Bruce Allen, Chief Executive of HETAS, said: “It is fantastic to be able to welcome Mr Soot to our network of HETAS approved training centres.

“As an organisation, HETAS is committed to promoting the highest standards and we have been immensely impressed by what we have seen at Mr Soot.

“It’s clear David, Sam and the Mr Soot team as a whole share our passion and vision to continue professionalising the industry. 

“We look forward to working with them and our partners in the months and years ahead.”

Dates for courses will be published soon at www.mrsoottraining.com