04-12-2012, 04:51 PM
Choosing A Location
location & equipments.docx (Size: 90.39 KB / Downloads: 24)
Area
You should have a good social mix of council tenants and privately owned properties close by, even better if there is a large bed-sit area or college where students invariably reside.
Property
You will need to talk to your local suppliers of GAS / WATER and ELECTRIC, this is a very important part of the set-up as these are the 3 main running cost of your new business.
Gas
A standard launderette would require a 2" gas main 1000,0000.btus but this will depend on the equipment you will be using (check specifications first).
Electricity
Although you can run most modern machines now on standard 1phase (single phase) you will have a much wider choice on equipment (if you decide to use reconditioned machines) most of these will be 3phase 415volts. Again check with your machine specifications and your local supplier.
Water
In a launderette set-up, as you may well imagine, one of the biggest supplies is water. This can be run into a water storage tank or tanks. Again, please check the machine's specification and remember that all washing machines are not the same.
Equipment
Ideally, on start up you should allow yourself extra space if possible, as this could be utilised if you find that at a later stage you need to expand the launderette, due to income generation.
A basic size launderette would generally consist of between 6 to 8 washing machines and 6 to 8 tumble dryers. The washing machines being 7kg / 10kg for service washing & 16kg machine for larger loads and duvet processing. The dryers would be 30 to 35lb capacity (ideally gas heated) single pocket style and if space is a problem then stack dryers are available, with a 50lb dryer capacity to service the larger wash loads.
Behind the Scenes
One of the main parts of the laundrette which is not normally seen by the public is commonly known as the boiler room. This section will be the home to your water storage tank / boiler & pump.
Older launderettes always seemed to have a tank that would supply 10 x launderettes to me. Water storage is around 300/500 gallons depending, again, on the style of machines but most modern shops now utilise the space and design and build a tank (preferably in stainless steel) in the space they decide this is not the cheapest way but by far the best long term.