Businessman John Hopkins has put his car repair business up for sale on eBay. He decided to sell his ChipsAway franchise in Cornwall due to ill-health.

After advertising it through a business agency with no success, he put it on eBay, with no reserve.

“If I don’t sell it soon, anything I get will be eaten up in running costs,” says Hopkins. He has held the franchise for 18 months and invested £40,000. But since suffering a back injury, he’s been unable to work, while still paying monthly fees of £200 for the franchise and £329 for leasing the fully-equipped van.

Hopkins says in the first year gross profit was around £25,000 and weekly turnover regularly exceeded £800 to £900, with costs of £250. He says some franchisees regularly turn over £1,200. Bids started at 99p and were continuing as AM went to press.