The Red Rose Story
THE BEGINNING
Martin began his pest control journey all the way back in 1988, originally for Rossendale and then on to Bury Metro and Blackburn with Darwen Council. Safe to say he knows his way around the streets of Lancashire, and their pests.
THE JOURNEY
In 2013, Martin took the plunge to go solo, setting up Red Rose Pest Control Services and sporting his now iconic Ford Connect Van (and beard!). Since then, Martin has established his reputation across East Lancashire as the chatty, brew-drinking rat catcher.
THE RESULT
Finally, in 2024, Martin established Red Rose Pest Control Community CIC, a non-profit arm of the Red Rose name. It’s purpose being to provide the services he is known for, to those less fortunate or unable to seek pest solutions elsewhere.
Protecting the community
38% of UK properties were built before 1946, making the UK housing stock the oldest in Europe. Much of this property (especially in the rental sector) is in a poor state of repair, often suffering with pests such as rats, mice, cockroaches and bed bugs (known as “public health pests”). It is usually the most vulnerable in our society, often the elderly or those with small children, who must live in such property and who are least able to afford to remedy these problems.
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Martin Rowell has 36 years of experience working in the public health pest control industry, both as an independent contractor and for local authorities. In this time, he has seen such situations countless times and has identified the urgent need for affordable or free services.
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To this end, in 2024, he formed Red Rose Community Interest Company (CIC) to make pest control accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it. He now provides professional domestic pest control services at fair rates, and the income generated helps to fund free or subsidised treatments for households facing financial hardship.
The work often focuses on supporting the most vulnerable in the community – including the elderly, disabled, and families with young children – who may otherwise struggle to live in safe and healthy homes. Red Rose Community CIC also accept referrals from social services, doctors, schools and other trusted agencies, so urgent cases can be addressed quickly and effectively.
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By reinvesting what is earned back into the community, Martin ensures that everyone has the chance to live in a pest-free, healthier environment.
