QUICK GUIDE

SETTING UP A LAUNDERETTE

www.laundryserv.co.uk

PHS LAUNDRYSERV | DELIVERING QUALITY SERVICE, EQUIPMENT AND LAUNDRY EXPERTISE

If you’re looking to launch your own successful laundry business, there’s a lot to consider, especially with the cost of setting up a launderette now being between an estimated £60k and £100k. With over 40 years’ experience as the UK’s leading providers of commercial laundry equipment, we know just how important it is that you consider every detail. With this guide, we aim to make things a little bit clearer.

LOCATIONFirst things first: choosing the right location is the key to your laundry’s success. You need to be able to rely on the local community for business, so ensuring that it’s situated in a prime location (ideally a high street) will be favourable to customers wanting to use your facilities.

It’s desirable to have a good mix of renting tenants and privately owned properties nearby, and it’s even better if there’s a large bed-sit area or college where students invariably reside. However, you should check the cost of the campus’ launderettes as they will be your main source of competition.

As well as ensuring you’re located in a busy area, you should check that your customers are provided with a convenient drop off and collection point. This can easily be done by checking that there’s easy parking access as close to your proposed site as possible.

Another popular option is to consider passing trade on an arterial road, something that is also handy when it comes to parking and bringing in service washes.

YOUR COMPETITIONWhen choosing your location, make sure to check out the competition in nearby areas. It’s vital that you know exactly what they offer and how much they charge for their services, enabling you to bring your customers something different.

Although the basic concept and services from your launderette will be the same as any other, having a look at what other laundries are doing may spark some unique ideas to put you ahead of the local competition.

WATER, GAS AND ELECTRICSIf you’re setting up in a location that wasn’t previously a launderette, such as a shop on a high street or a unit within an industrial estate, careful considerations need to be taken in regards to your site’s water supply, waste water, gas and electrics.

Making sure that your premises are capable of having a larger incoming water supply is essential, as is the necessity for ducting of the dryers, which will need to go through an external wall. Please note that planning permission for change of use may be necessary.

Most washer and dryer units will have a minimum incoming water supply of 15mm. Although this is adequate for running tap water and toilets, it wouldn’t be suitable for running a laundry operation which requires many washers to be filled simultaneously. Your options could include investigating opportunities for water storage, such as installing a tank, or looking at upgrading your premises’ supply.

Likewise, the outgoing waste pipe may also need to be upgraded. Both of these potential issues should be investigated with the local water authority for costs and feasibility.

The majority of commercial launderette equipment will mostly require a 3 phase electricity supply, as well as generally relying heavily on gas. Therefore, you should ensure there is a gas supply or gas mains nearby. A small domestic gas meter will be inadequate.

PHS LAUNDRYSERV | DELIVERING QUALITY SERVICE, EQUIPMENT AND LAUNDRY EXPERTISE

BASIC LAUNDRETTE SERVICESIt’s important to know exactly what you intend to offer to ensure you get the correct equipment from the outset. For example, if you wish to provide service washes then you should have some ironing equipment, such as ironing tables, on your premises.

The three main revenue streams for a launderette are:

• Customers doing their own laundry• Customers dropping their laundry into a launderette for a service wash• You, as the business, providing a collection and delivery service

As a launderette, your main aim is to maximise revenue generation. As well as everyday laundry, other popular items requiring washing at a launderette include duvets, horse blankets and sports kits (and sometimes a whole team’s!) There will be many businesses in the area that don’t have on-site laundry facilities, such as gyms, hotels, spas and restaurants, and these provide an ideal contract for a launderette business, especially in regards to laundering uniforms, towels and linen.

As well as having a respected status within the local community, local contracts are a key component to increasing a business’ revenue. It secures a steady flow of income and the reassurance of business all year round.

ADDITIONAL SERVICESMany launderettes now provide specialist dry cleaning, so why not opt for something a bit different with wet cleaning, a more energy efficient alternative from PHS Laundryserv?

Using specialist detergents and a standard commercial washer and dryer from Miele, wet cleaning will provide you with the ability to safely and effectively launder specialist ‘dry clean’ only garments. Not only does this process use little water and energy, but the washer and dryer can also be used for standard washes, saving space on your premises.

As well as offering standard laundry services, such as dry cleaning and ironing, you may also want to consider providing internet access and coffee making facilities on-site. Many customers would rather not leave their items unattended on your premises, and this is perfect for ensuring they’re occupied while they wait.

EQUIPMENTNow that you’ve considered the services you wish to offer, it’s important to consider the type and amount of equipment you need to do so.

A basic sized launderette will generally consist of 6 to 8 washing machines and the same number of tumble dryers. However, as your laundry business may expand in future, we advise that you leave some extra floor space available.

Additionally, with rising utility costs being a hot topic at the moment, you should also try to consider saving money wherever you can.

Energy use will be by far the largest expense, and one that will tend to fluctuate alongside standard utility prices. With an FX washer, available from PHS Laundryserv, you can create substantial savings on both water and energy costs while still offering great wash results for your customers. Compared to other machines, they can provide up to a third in savings, helping to increase your profits.

Another factor that can help your cash flow would be renting, rather than buying your equipment. This will mean that your costs are spread across the lifetime of a contact, which could be a five or eight year period, making budgeting easier with the costs of starting a new business.

The benefits of a service contract also include no extra charges being incurred on repairs (parts and labour) and the ability to easily upgrade your equipment when it becomes outdated.

As well as washers and dryers, you should ensure that your launderette has an adequate supply of table ironers and finishing equipment, including shirt toppers.

PHS LAUNDRYSERV | DELIVERING QUALITY SERVICE, EQUIPMENT AND LAUNDRY EXPERTISE

SUNDRIESSundries are another vital consideration when planning to set up your own launderette. Not only will they increase your revenue streams, but they’ll aid in the general smooth running of your day to day business.

If you choose to offer service washes, you’ll require the following supplies:

• Coat hangers• Duvet bags• Suit and dress covers• Ticket books

Detergent and softener vending machines are also very popular with customers who forget or don’t want to bring their own supply.

MARKETING YOUR LAUNDERETTEIt’s simple: if you want your business to thrive, then you need to make people aware of its presence. Nowadays, websites and social media present an easy, cost effective way to widen your spectrum of customers and getting the word out that you’re open.

Other factors that you may not immediately consider could be organising a launch party and inviting other business owners, nearby residents and the local press to the opening. Additionally, advertising on websites such as yell.com and in local business directories will also generate traffic, whether it is to your website or directly to your launderette. Either way, it’s good exposure.