WHO says the recession is bad for business — certainly not Jon Cooper, whose company has been cooking up a storm during the downturn.

His Whitefield-based oven valeting firm, Ovenu, is reporting record trading figures as consumers shift towards a “make do and mend” culture.

Jon, owner of the franchise, which services households across North Manchester, said: “Business couldn’t be better. Householders are putting off buying in new and turning to people like us to help prolong the life of their existing appliances.”

The valeting process takes around three hours and involves dismantling and cleaning key components of the oven that owners would not be able to reach.