A BRAND-new business has opened in the area, with the aim of making the vehicles of Basingstoke cleaner.

Dave Johnson has set up Prime Shine Mobile Valeting Services, looking to strike it out on his own.

Dave has several previous years of valeting experience, having worked doing valeting for Aldi and for a company called Motoclean before making the move to go and start his own business.

Dave said: “There is room for me to expand on my own, and so far, there has been some interest in what I’ve been doing.”

There is also a community aspect to what Dave is doing in his new business.

He is donating 10 per cent of the money that the business is making to the youth ice hockey team that he helps to coach.

Dave added: “I help to coach the junior ice hockey development team in Basingstoke at the under 15s level, where they have been having trouble getting all the equipment that they need, so I thought I would try to give them a hand.

“The ice hockey team is like a second family to me, and I’m looking forward to helping out.”

Since opening a month ago, he has managed to secure a contract with a small car dealership in Yateley, and has seen a considerable amount of interest online through social media.

He added: “Since I started up the company, I’ve had quite a few people approaching me with interest, and I think that it helps that I’m trying to offer value for money.

“I also have six year’s experience doing accident repair work as well.”

Dave’s business operates out of a combination van, that contains all of the paraphernalia needed to make vehicles as clean as possible.

Dave added: “The van itself has a really large water tank, and there is a polisher, and I can move it to wherever it is needed in the area.

“All the supplies are on board, and I can go anywhere in the area at whatever time is best.

“Whether that is when someone is at work or at home.

“I’ve been around the Basingstoke area for 26 years, and Hartley Wintney before that, so I know the area well.”

So far, there has been a good up take for the 47-year-old, who opened the company four weeks ago.

He added: “It’s been going really well so far, with the contract at the dealership and people noticing me online.

“Things are looking steady for the moment, but we are getting there, it takes time to build up a customer base.

“I’ve been seeing a heck of a lot of interest online, which is helping to get the circulation going.

“I couldn’t ask for more, and since I’m trying to spread my new business through word of mouth and like to work on recommendations, it is quite a promising start.”