Local Services operates the PlumbLocal, ElecLocal and DecorateLocal franchise brands and plans to launch further in-demand trade services in the near future. The company's strategy is to become the leading network of providers to the insurance and domestic building services markets.

Nash Fitzwilliams, the corporate finance boutique that specialises in the European building products and services industry, has led a substantial investment round in partnership with existing shareholders which is intended to fund Local Services' next stage of growth.

Local Services, which has recently been endorsed by Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water, has also announced that it is entering trials with two national providers of emergency services. Steve Baker, Chief Executive and Founder, says: "Our large corporate partners have been very impressed with the quality of our franchisees and our ability to scale up in order to meet increased demand. As a result, we are now able to feed a considerable number of leads to PlumbLocal and ElecLocal plumbers and electricians through our central communication hub."

Given these recent successes Local Services, which recently successfully exhibited at the National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC, determined that the timing was right to raise further capital in advance of a potential early flotation.

Adrian Pritchard, who led the Nash Fitzwilliams team, says: "The way that domestic customers purchase building services has shifted towards a branded, trusted offering. This shift, combined with the current national skills shortage, has created a new market, of which Local Services is a leader." The investor group was advised by solicitors Dundas & Wilson.