HI-Q Tyreservices is launching a pilot scheme to franchise some of its company-owned centres. The franchises will initially be offered to Hi-Q and Goodyear staff.

Martin West, Hi-Q operations manager, said: 'We have received a large number of enquiries for the franchise programme and are currently assessing the profile of candidates. The commitment to on-going support and the level of benefits offered make this franchise package an attractive proposition.'

The project coincides with Hi-Q's expansion, with 12 independent tyre dealer stores joining its network. These include five centres in Northern Ireland operated by Charles Hurst - Hi-Q's first stores in the province. These latest additions bring the number of Hi-Q dealer partner stores to 162, while Goodyear-owned centres take the total network to around 320.