LITTLE did Tony Beddoes think, when he launched his own business six years ago, it would land him in prison!

But the man behind the team bringing a new shine to Bradford’s city centre streets was actually quite happy to end up behind bars.

“I love working on unusual buildings and in unusual places – so when I got the contract for a big clean up at HMP New Hall, I was thrilled,” said Tony.

“Although I have to be a bit careful on the phone when I tell clients I’m currently in the nick!”

The work at the closed category Wakefield prison, which houses mainly women and young offenders, is all behind its imposing entrance and Tony is not allowed to talk about anything he sees there.

But he can say that his contract involves cleaning up prison yards, exercise areas, pathways and the main entrance.

It’s just the latest in a long line of interesting jobs that have led Tony and his team to locations across the country cleaning just about any type of building, drive, pavement or walkway you might care to mention.

His Oakworth, Keighley-based business has recently been earning widespread praise for the cleaning of Bradford city centre streets under contract to the Business Improvement District (BID).

Thousands of people have taken to social media to watch his videos of long-neglected pavements and stone setts being transformed by his unique method of hot steam washing and high-pressure chewing gum removal.

“It’s been really gratifying to see so much positive reaction to the work we’ve done,” says Tony.

“It’s almost as satisfying as the work itself. I never tire of seeing an area brought back to life, with the years of grime and dirt, as well as algae and mould, being washed away and the colour and beauty of old stone and modern slabs re-emerging.

“And people really seem to love the difference it makes.”

The praise is well deserved after the years of graft former Oakbank School pupil Tony put into setting up his company, AB Jetting, in 2013.

“I spent six years learning the ropes and researching everything there is to know about environmental cleaning,” he says.

“I know all about methods of cleaning, what types of chemical to use, how trees, moss, algae, mould and the environment generally can affect buildings and walkways and how to remove them safely without damage to structures, people, plants or animals.

“I know how to handle everything from modern render to ancient stone and everything in between.”

Tony’s thirst for knowledge stemmed from a desire to ensure that he would become known and trusted to do a good job, whatever the task.

“I’m not in this to build a huge cleaning empire and set up franchises across the country: I want to keep the business small enough for me to take a personal interest in every job and to be known as the guy whose team will do a high-quality, reliable job,” he says.

His determination and persistence seem to be paying off, with some clients refusing to use any other firm and being willing to wait months in some cases for him to be available to do the work.

The former soldier’s attention to detail and passion for quality has led to him devising his own safe cleaning solutions and even designing and specifying his own equipment.

“There are expensive cleaning machines on the market but none of them are as flexible as mine,” he says. “I worked with our engineering guy to build a machine that can do everything we need it to do and allows us to clean with everything from really hot steam to very gentle pressure to ensure we get the best results without causing any damage to fragile materials.”

The range of work he is now able to undertake is phenomenal, from domestic services such as driveway, patio and roof cleaning, render washing and drain clearance to industrial and commercial tasks such as cladding cleaning, chewing gum and graffiti removal, window frame restoration, sandblasting and much more.

His team can work at any height, from tower blocks even to underwater. As a qualified diver – soon to become a Master Rescue Diver – Tony is also willing to undertake projects such as cleaning the hulls of ships.

They have cleaned playgrounds, petrol stations, football grounds, railway concourses, machinery, road signs, churchyards, housing estates, supermarkets, nursing homes, canal boats, country mansions… the list is almost endless.

“I won’t hand over any job until it has been completed to my standards,” he says. “I want people to know that AB Jetting will never let them down.

“I love to see places being transformed and I love to see people’s faces when they witness the change.

“The thing I can’t get enough of is hearing people say ‘I can’t believe the difference it’s made!’ That just makes it all worthwhile.”

Tony is always there to start jobs off and see them finished to his personal satisfaction. And, amazingly, he’s never bored!

For more information call 01274 947000 (Office), 07863 966118 (Mobile) or email info@abjetting.com