Oven valeter Steve Archibald, who counts a host of celebrities amongst his clients, is marking the 20th anniversary of his business, Ovenu Oxford.
The 52-year-old estimates he has restored the sparkle to more than 12,000 ovens over the past two decades, but despite that he insists his passion for the job is undiminished.
“There are a host of celebrities who live in the Oxford area, some of whom I’m pleased to count as clients,” he said.
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“This business is all about meeting some lovely people and delivering an excellent service. It’s certainly a varied life, one minute you might be cleaning the oven of someone who was on TV the night before, and the next you are chatting to a pensioner on a council estate.
“While cleaning a celeb’s oven might make life more interesting, they also tend to have much larger and more intricate appliances, such as range cookers!”
Steve, who was born and bred in Oxford, has several star names on his books, including a Hollywood actor, famous musicians, plus TV and media personalities. Given Oxfordshire’s strong links to the automotive industry and motor sport, other clients include figures with links to Formula 1.
Photo: Recognition PR
Before launching Ovenu Oxford in 2002, Steve worked at the city’s BMW plant, leading a team involved in quality inspection and road-testing the MINI. Prior to that he trained as a chef in Oxford French restaurant, La Sorbonne, where he cooked for Princess Diana, Sir Edward Heath, Harold Wilson and Sir Alec Guinness.
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Steve, who still lives in the centre of Oxford, added: “Most people detest cleaning their oven, which is why I’ve been able to make such a successful career out of it. I love working in and around the city where I was born and meeting great people, no matter what their background or occupation.”
He is currently being kept extremely busy by Oxford’s academia as the start of a new term approaches, with changeovers of both staff, lecturers, and students.
Steve added: “My main priority is keeping busy and maintaining high standards, which is why Ovenu Oxford has been such a success. My first ever client is still with me today, which means I must be doing something right!”
Photo: Recognition PR
As well as Oxford, the business covers Chipping Norton, Cumnor, Kidlington, Wheatley, Woodstock, and surrounding areas.
The Ovenu valeting process involves dismantling key components of an oven such as the door, interior panels, fan, and shelves and placing them into design-registered tank equipment, which uses safe, non-caustic products to clean the oven parts’ leaving it in near showroom condition.
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For details call Steve on 01865 556777, email oxford@ovenu.co.uk or visit https://www.ovenu.co.uk/oven_cleaning/oxford
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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF