New business in Denton improves on high street heritage

A new launderette in Denton has recently opened up on a site that has in previous years been host to another well-loved launderette.

The humble UK launderette was once a commonplace sight on the high street, with the country as a whole having lost around 9500 launderettes since the 1980s. In modern times, there are only around 3000 remaining. But with ever increasing costs, pricy repair charges and climate issues, going to the launderette is not only friendly on the pocket but also friendly on the planet.

The newly opened Ultra Clean launderette hopes to update the dated image of the launderette and wants to revitalise the once forgotten launderette that laid on the site. The business opening on Manchester Road comes after 8 months planning and was spearheaded by the team at Diversey UK and local entrepreneur Zeshan Aziz. Zeshan and his family own commercial properties along the road and said that being able to open another one open here was a great feeling.

The plans for Zeshan’s new launderette came about initially when Zeshan visited another launderette that Diversey UK had worked on, and fast forward 8 months and the vision has been nearly fully realized. Stephen McGivern of Diversey UK told us more about what they installed in Ultra Clean, saying: “We have installed big washers and dryers from LG which are good for the environment, the machine sizes will accommodate any pieces of laundry coming in at 10kg and 15kg.”

Whilst the front of the shop will offer people the latest technology to do their own laundry, the rear will accommodate those on a busier schedule. Francis Ayscough of Diversey UK expanded on this, saying: “The rear of the shop is for where service washing will be carried out, where people can drop their laundry off in the morning and pick it up on their way home at night. It enables the shop to offer a vast array of services to the public around the area.”

The space also looks much more modern than what the word launderette conjures up, as it features eco efficient washers and a modern and spacious interior, finished with white walls and a clean grey floor. And according to Diversey UK member Chris Mellor, the site will double up as much more than just a laundrette.
“This site will be a community hub as well with people coming in, it is great for the community.”

Stephen picked up on this, adding: “it provides them a place to come if their machines break down too which are expensive to repair. It is more energy efficient for the domestic market to use the laundrette rather than them using private washing machines.”

The front of the shop is fully ready to go with energy efficient machines that accept contactless card, which is a far cry from the laundrette that was here previously. Stephen told us more, saying “the old site people would have no help and would do their laundry, but the plan for this in the future is for people to drop off and then pick up so you can accommodate both. There will be people out there chatting who might not have seen each other for 20 years. It is great for Denton to bring such a business back.”

 Zeshan has been working up to the opening alongside Diversey UK since last year and told us “we have done our homework on it and we have had a good team. I am really happy with it all so far, we are still in the process of doing the back, but we are getting there for that part!”

Keep up to date with the launderette @Ultra Clean Denton on Facebook.

Pictures Courtesy of Green Lemon PD