Alex Polizzi: The Fixer

Alex Polizzi sets out to wage a one woman campaign to save Britain's family businesses. Many small and medium family-run firms are going to the wall in the current climate, but it's a sector that's vital to the British economy. In this episode, Alex is called in to help a failing family bridalwear business in Kettering, Northamptonshire. Despite remortgaging her home to keep the business afloat, owner Anne Preece is watching the profits fall year on year, and to make matters worse her two daughters Rhiannon and Bethan, who also work in the shop, argue constantly. « read less

Alex Polizzi is called in to a family-run furniture store in Yeadon, just outside Leeds. Kettley's Furniture has been run by John Butler and his family for 33 years, but it just hasn't moved on in that time, stocking furniture which is more care home than dream home, and in recent years profits are down as customer numbers have dwindled. The business has been almost completely centred on serving the elderly and infirm, but the over 65s buy less furniture than the 25 to 45 year olds, as big ticket purchases like furniture are mostly driven by moving home or home improvement. Currently Kettley's looks like an outdated shop with old-fashioned stock, and is a total turn off to couples and young families, who outnumber the over 65s in the local area. Alex also needs to sort out the family struggles. Dad John and son David don't see eye to eye, with David clearly looking for approval from his father that he's capable of running the business - but John doesn't look ready to give him that approval, or the reins of the store. In fact, John seems unable to trust any of the younger partners in the business - son David, niece Nicola and nephew Andrew - with whom he butts heads. With years of working with her own family under her belt, Alex is armed and ready to do battle with the Butlers to put their problems right. She has fight on her hands, as John will not relinquish control of his kingdom lightly. Unfazed and undaunted, Alex orders an overhaul of all three floors of the store and all their marketing and branding. It's a struggle that goes right to the wire - but in the end will any of her interventions make a difference to Kettley's bottom line? And can she prove to John that his son David has what it takes to push the business into the future? « read less