What to consider when choosing launderette premises

There are many considerations if you’re opening a new launderette. Finding reliable laundry equipment, creating a set-up that’s commercially viable and thinking about your environmental impact are just a few. 

Choosing a location that’s central enough to attract customers and also has the right utilities supplies and set-up will support your laundrette’s success. After helping many clients navigate the practicalities of setting up and maintaining their laundry equipment, we’ve got lots of expert advice on finding the best laundrette business premises.

Why Location is Important

As with any other business, choosing a location that’s visible and likely to attract customers is key to success. People need their laundrettes to be convenient and easily accessible. So choosing a premises that’s in a central area and has a good amount of car parking will make your business more attractive. 

If possible, your location should also be open as long as possible so customers can access your services when you need them. Keep this in mind when looking at premises near residential areas, as people living nearby might not be happy if you run late night or 24-hour opening hours. 

Customers also want a washing machine or tumble dryer to be free for them to use as quickly as possible. Having a location with enough space to fit all the equipment you need to serve people efficiently will help. Finding a unit with extra room also gives you the opportunity to offer more services, such as ironing or dry cleaning. Consider this and choose premises that match your business plan.

Practicalities to Consider 

When you’re looking at potential business premises, it’s important to check a few key elements before drawing up your agreement. Following the below advice will help you avoid any snags when you start setting up your laundrette. 

Flooring 

Laundry equipment is heavy and puts a lot of pressure through the floor, particularly when running a high spin cycle. As such, it’s important that your laundrette’s flooring is solid concrete without any basement or voids. This means you can secure equipment to the floor via rigid mounting, minimising machine movement and damage. 

Concrete is also able to handle the heat, moisture and high traffic of a laundrette environment. Easy to clean and resistant to most stains, daily maintenance is also easier. So when you’re checking potential business premises, make sure the base of your floor is concrete, with no cracks or dents and that any other vinyl, tiles or laminates are removable. 

Gas, Electricity and Water Supply 

For your washers and dryers to run efficiently, you need easy access to plenty of gas, electricity and water. Otherwise, your machines won’t have enough hot water or power to get the quality clean your customers are looking for. So when you’re reviewing a potential location for your laundrette, make sure there is a reliable, safe utility supply and enough outlets for your needs. 

Typically we would recommend a gas-heated cylinder to supply hot water to your washing machines. This, alongside gas-heated dryers, tends to be more cost-efficient than electricity. Though, of course, the equipment will also require electrical power to run. Plus any sockets you need for extra equipment like irons or CCTV. 

However, to meet gas regulations, the sizing and positioning of ducting and flue terminations are a big consideration, which can create challenges for new or upgraded laundrettes. The gas regulations state that any flue termination from a commercial gas tumble dryer must be at least 2000mm from any opening into the building, including windows, doors, fans and even air bricks.

One solution is often to extend the ducting away externally, which may require planning permission. It also may not be possible if the laundrette is situated in a particular area such as a high street. So it’s important to understand this before getting too far into the process.

When checking the water supply, make sure the pressure is sufficient for your boiler and washing machines to run. If it isn’t, plumbing works such as the addition of pumps or tanks may be required. Depending on the cost and time implications of this, you might decide that a premise isn’t suitable for your needs. 

Drainage

The minimum standard drainage for laundrettes is four-inch diameter floor level drainage. Locating the main wastewater drain and figuring out the pipework needed to create a fully efficient layout in the premises should be taken into account. This will help you determine if a location is appropriate for your needs or not. 

Checking existing pipes for leaks, blockages and wear will also help you understand what work needs to be done, at what cost. 

Air Extraction and Louvres

Good air circulation and extraction is essential, particularly for tumble dryers and boilers. You may need external pipes for vented dryers, or space around your condenser machines to help them run efficiently. Having enough air flow to keep the environment cool will keep your equipment running well and your customers comfortable.

Air makeup is also often overlooked. Each dryer has its own air requirement, so if there are multiple dryers the fresh air opening can become very large and difficult to locate, but it is required.

If you’re using gas dryers or boilers, then open louvres are a health and safety requirement. The premises you choose may need these installed alongside external pipes. Keep this in mind when checking the lease terms and external wall space of your location, as this may restrict how much ventilation you can install. 

Site Access

Even if minimal pre-installation work is required, you’ll need accessways big enough to fit your laundry equipment through. Premises with only a single doorway will be difficult to transport boilers, washing machines, dryers and pipework through. Ideally, look for spaces with a double doorway. If this is

Other steps to set up your laundrette

To start up your laundrette business so it’s ready to run well from day one, make sure you:

• Create a thorough business plan, with an accurate budget and forecast to ensure you can balance any costs with profitability.
• Once you have your premises, register your limited company or partnership with Companies House.
• Make sure you have the right paperwork in place, including any public liability or contents insurance, local licenses and health and safety risk assessments.
• Plan out your premises’ layout, including its equipment, utilities supplies and customer spaces, to make sure it’s running efficiently and safely.
• Select commercial washers and dryers that are reliable, have efficient cycles and produce a quality cleaning finish to keep customers coming back.
• Get quality installers to fit and test your equipment, then run some loads through your system to make sure it’s working as it should.

Speak to WASHCO for your commercial laundry needs

From selecting the right equipment to running site surveys and supporting installations, we can help you at every stage of setting up your laundrette. To discuss your requirements and get advice for your commercial laundry business, contact WASHCO’s specialists on 08000 546 546 or email info@washco.co.uk.