Business executives clean up in the boardroom

DEAN KOZANIC/The Press

TWO IN ONE: Damian Curtain's Esprseso Carwash Cafe is attracting an increasing number of board meetings so executives can discuss strategic plans while their cars get spruced up.

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Board meetings are moving to the car wash, so executives can discuss their strategic plans while their cars get a valet spruce up.

Espresso Carwash Cafe, which was started three years ago by Christchurch's Damian and Debbie Curtain, is getting an increasing number of businesses holding their monthly board meetings in its specialised meeting room.

"They have their board meeting and come out to nice clean cars. Some come in for breakfast as well," Damian Curtain said.

He hoped the concept would catch on across the rest of New Zealand as the firm planned to have 30 franchises working in three years.

There are four franchised branches in Christchurch, including three in malls, which all provide a 100 per cent handwash vehicle valet.

"A customer can drive into the mall and park anywhere they like, they drop the keys at the reception, and go do their grocery shopping and we'll text them when the car is ready."

In the North Island, it plans to open in Rotorua in November, with three planned for Wellington.

Curtain also plans to expand to Auckland early next year when a fifth Christchurch branch opens in Ferrymead.

The Lincoln Road/Moorhouse Ave franchise does between 400 and 700 cars a week, while the mall franchises do between 245 and 445.

"Ten to 15 years ago this wouldn't have worked, but times do change. Twenty years ago you wouldn't have thought of paying someone to mow your lawns. People are working a lot more. I have Sunday off, but that's my family day. I want to spend time with my children. "