A Northwich holiday club entrepreneur has received national recognition for her 'disruptive' franchise.

Helen Wilson, known as the 'Director of Fun' at Fun Fest Cheshire, was crowned 'Disruptive Franchisee of the Year' at the nationwide Disruptive Franchise Awards in June.

The club is now a finalist in two more 'prestigious' ceremonies.

Ms Wilson, 41, faced the judging panel this month for the 'Franchisee Trailblazer' category of the 2024 British Franchise Awards.

She is also a 'Woman Franchisee of the Year 2024' finalist in the NatWest EWiF Awards.

Ms Wilson said: "Having been £75,000 'in the red' post-pandemic, we are now on track to become a £1.5m business by 2026 – operating on average 72 days a year.

"Thanks to the amazing support of the parents and schools we work with, we are the biggest and fastest-growing Fun Fest franchisee in the country.

"I am proud that we have proven we can be successful by having more holiday clubs without passing any of the startup costs on to parents or compromising on the quality of our staff or childcare."

Fun Fest Cheshire currently provides activity choices to 4,000 children across Cheshire West and Stockport all year round.

The franchise has had a six-summer residency at The Grange Junior School, Hartford, and occupies six other venues – including Hartford Manor Primary School and Cransley School, Great Budworth.

Ms Wilson, who was also a 'Cheshire Woman of the Year 2024' nominee, said: "We empower children in the Northwich area and beyond to decide how they want to spend their holidays, as well as to design their own programme – choosing from over 50 different active, creative and adventurous activity sessions."

Looking to the future, Fun Fest Cheshire plans to expand into their own local authority, Cheshire East, aiming to open five more Ofsted-registered holiday clubs.

Ms Wilson added: "We don’t do what we do for trophies.

"What motivates us is supporting working parents to make school holidays special for their children, and providing safe spaces for them to continue learning, making friends and having fun.

"It means a lot to know, however, that at a regional and national level, the passion and ideas we bring to the franchise world is considered 'disruptive' and 'trailblazing'."