A SMALL family-run laundry business has launched a new luxury linen hire business aimed at the hospitality sector.
Fiona Howie took over the former Lucinda’s Laundry in Brompton-on-Swale, near Richmond, two years ago.
It had operated for nearly 20 years and had a loyal following mostly specialising in domestic and catering linen.
Those services continue, but Mrs Howie, managing director, said they quickly realised there was an opportunity to also extend into the linen hire market.
She said: “Around the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas many hotels and small businesses were being serviced by large scale national laundries and wanted a more personal service. As a smaller business, we realised we were well positioned to compete on value for money, and could offer customers a dedicated bespoke service, higher quality linen, greater flexibility on deliveries and professionally maintained linen stocks.”
The laundry – which was re-branded Brompton Laundry Company in June this year – has also invested in new environmentally-friendly machinery.
It has switched from steam to gas energy, which has reduced its carbon footprint, and has signed up to the climate change agreement to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in carbon usage.
Staff numbers have doubled to 12 and the company serves an area from Newcastle to Leeds; Hawes to Barnard Castle and across to Middlesbrough.
Mrs Howie said: “We are trying to provide a bespoke service to customers. All laundries are different but I would like to think we listen to customers and offer a flexible, personal service.”
One of their clients is the multi-award winning Middleton Lodge and The Coach House restaurant at Middleton Tyas.
Brompton Laundry Company has served the business since it opened and has just signed a new three-year contract to supply all the table and bed linen for both operations.
Middleton Lodge has 18 bedrooms and will this year host 100 weddings.
General manager Daniel Courtney – who recently joined from the Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland – said there were big advantages by working with the local laundry.
“They are just two miles down the road, so it is good to be working with them as we are not just an account number, we are a face.”
Published by Darlington and Stockton Times May 2016
