The Alfresco Story:
From One Man and a Ladder to BT Tower and Five Kids
Like all great businesses, Alfresco Exterior Cleaning started with a simple idea, a lot of determination, and just a little bit of reckless enthusiasm. Back in the early days, there was no fleet of vehicles, no high-tech equipment—just one man, a ladder, and a bucket of soapy water. It was the classic window cleaner’s tale: knocking on doors, scrubbing glass, and trying to avoid getting drenched when the wind changed direction. In those early months, the challenges using awooden ladder!
But as the years went by, things escalated. And in the world of exterior cleaning, “escalation” often involves going much, much higher.
The Early Days: Man vs. Gravity
The first chapter of Alfresco’s history can best be described as trial by height. Working on houses and small commercial properties was one thing, but bigger jobs soon came calling. A memorable turning point? Bracknell, a cradle, and a very long afternoon of regret.
Picture this: a young, eager window cleaner, strapped into a cradle, hoisted high above Bracknell to clean office windows. All is going well—until it isn’t. The cradle stops moving. The ground crew? Nowhere to be seen. Mobile phones? Not as smart back then. And so, what was supposed to be a routine job turned into an impromptu sky-high meditation session, complete with some strong words about career choices.
Eventually, after what felt like a lifetime (but was probably closer to an hour), freedom was granted. Lesson learned? Always check the cradle controls before ascending, and maybe have a snack on hand—just in case. Along with lavatory option!
Bigger Heights, Bigger Buildings
Despite the Bracknell incident, the thrill of high-rise cleaning remained irresistible. Before long, the company was tackling some of the most iconic buildings in the UK, including the BT Tower in London.
Cleaning the façade of a structure like that isn’t just a job; it’s an adventure. It’s the kind of work where one wrong move and you’re featured in someone’s YouTube video. But the challenge was part of the appeal—working at height, seeing the city from a perspective few ever get to experience, and making buildings look brand new again.
From office blocks to historic landmarks, Alfresco made a name for itself as the go-to team for high-level exterior cleaning. But while the business was soaring, life on the ground was about to get a whole lot busier.
From High Rises to High Chairs: The Witney Years
Fast-forward a few years, and life looked very different. Yes, Alfresco was thriving. Yes, big commercial jobs were still coming in. But something even bigger was happening at home— from 2000 to 2015 the arrival of five children.
If scaling the BT Tower was an achievement, trying to get five small humans ready for school every morning was an Olympic event. Gone were the days of peaceful early-morning starts; now, alarms were replaced with cereal spills, school runs, and negotiations over which shoes were acceptable to wear.
Of course, balancing a growing business with a growing family came with its challenges. There were long days, late nights, and the occasional moment of wondering how a man who once worked hundreds of feet in the air was now losing a debate with a three-year-old over bedtime stories. Teenagers wants and needs. Being there for some school events but not all, which I regret now.
But through it all, Alfresco kept growing, adapting, and fine-tuning its services. More staff, better equipment, and a reputation that made it Oxfordshire’s most-rated exterior cleaning company.
Where Are We Now?
Today, Alfresco is a far cry from the one-man-and-a-ladder operation it once was. With over 29 years of experience, a dedicated team of 12, and a commitment to top-tier exterior cleaning, the company has become a trusted name across Oxfordshire and beyond.
But at its core, Mark Toovey, the owner since day 1, it’s still about the same thing—making buildings shine, treating customers right, and embracing whatever challenges come next. Whether that’s another iconic building or another school run, well… at this point, nothing is too daunting.
From getting stuck in a cradle to running a thriving business with five kids in tow, the journey has been anything but boring. And if history has taught us anything, the best stories are still to come.
Need top-quality exterior cleaning from a company that’s been through it all? Get in touch today. We promise—we’ll check the cradle controls first.
