More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
An all female team of trade workers in Maidstone is carving the way in a male-dominated industry.
Property developers Lande Solutions started Lande Home and Space in January, a women only team of plumbers, interior designers and decorators to encourage more women into the roles.
More than 90% of their clients are female. After hearing customer feedback directors set up the team to help those who feel less confident having men in their homes.
Jess Stubberfield, 35, interior consultant and project manager said: "Construction is a predominantly male environment. A lot of our clients are women who are at home alone and have told us they feel more comfortable with other women in the house.
"The feedback has been amazing because it's not something that is common.
"I've never known an all female team to do something like this. Everyone so far has been great at backing it."
There are two decorators, an interior designer, a plumber and they also have access to a female electrician.
The team also works in partnership with Rooms in Kent helping with end of tenancy cleans, garden clearances and room redecorations.
To anyone who might call upon the Equality Act 2010, Mrs Stubberfield says this has been taken into consideration.
She added: "We are creating a positive action within that law, as women are under-represented in construction and trade roles.
"That being said if we did have someone of the opposite sex apply for future job roles we certainly would look to employ them within our companies.
"While we offer this service as a female team we do work within Lande Solutions that is a mixed team of both sexes.
"We are overall a diverse company and have recently registered with the disability confident scheme."
Since starting, the team are almost always fully booked with jobs across the county and are currently working on developing five flats in Hempstead.
A landlady in Ramsgate has started a similar venture and has only employed women at her micro-pub.
Nicola Werner made the controversial decision for The Pub Ramsgate in a bid to shake off the stereotype that micropubs are "blokey" and make hers a place for everyone.
