Starting a launderette remains a powerful business proposition, requiring low labour requirements, little upfront investment, and plenty of scope for expansion. Of course, setting up your own wash shop can also be a pretty daunting undertaking, which is why we’ve lent our extensive expertise to this step-by-step resource.
From defining your business plan to sourcing the right equipment, JLA is here to help budding go-getters achieve their goal of establishing a successful laundromat. We’ll hold your hand through the full process, offering practical tips and insights that we’ve picked up over 40+ years in the commercial laundry sector.
Ready to get started? Then let’s get to it.
What are the advantages of starting a launderette business in the UK?
Not quite ready to invest in your first coin-op washing machine just yet? That’s OK.
Starting a launderette business isn’t a decision to take lightly. There’s a lot to plan and even more to consider before you swing open the doors to your first customers.
But it’s worth it. After all, as a successful launderette owner-manager in the UK, you can expect benefits like…
• Healthy profit projection with a high margin
• On-tap demand from your local community
• Less upfront investment than you might expect – particularly if you opt for a plan like JLA Total Care
• Scope to expand your business with new sites or franchises
• A business that practically runs itself, with very few labour or maintenance-related costs
Starting a launderette business: How much does it cost?
One of your priorities coming into this guide was to find out how much it costs to set up a new launderette business. Of course, lots of factors can affect the required outlay, but we are able to give you a general ballpark of what you’re looking at – at least from the equipment procurement side of things.
With that in mind, here’s a quick breakdown of the typical equipment expenditure you’re looking at for a small-to-medium-sized laundromat, based on the following suite of appliances:
• 2 x JLA 20 – 20lbs capacity washing machines
• 1 x JLA 30 – 30lbs capacity washing machine
• 2 x JLA 40 – 40lbs capacity washing machines
• 3 x JLA 30 Stack – 4 x JLA 30lbs stacked tumble dryers
That’s a standard setup for a mid-sized wash shop in the UK. Now let’s take a look at the projected pricing:
So, while the initial cost to buy equipment outright may seem prohibitive, things become much more manageable when you switch to an equipment leasing solution – easily the most popular route for most commercial laundry services.
What other costs do you need to consider?
We know what you’re thinking: if only equipment costs were the only overheads to consider when setting up a new laundry business. But the reality is quite different, with a whole slew of other financial elements to consider when setting up and maintaining a successful laundromat.
These include:
- Renting or purchasing suitable premises
- Structural and infrastructural changes to your premises to accommodate a wash room
- Ongoing commercial energy costs
- Insurance and other business-related overheads
- Initial purchase of stock and consumables – including bags, detergents, baskets, and associated equipment
- Permits, taxes, and local licensing/compliance requirements
- Marketing and branding
- Staff, if not 100% self-service
Commercial laundry equipment you’ll need for your new launderette
While we alluded to the type of equipment you’ll need for your laundry business earlier, it’s worth taking a closer look at these appliances in detail – specifically their capacity, features, and ease of use.
Key features and considerations
Choosing the right equipment for a new laundromat business is essential; make the right decisions now, and it could pay dividends in the future. Generally, you should look to prioritise the following features/attributes when choosing suitable commercial laundry equipment for your new launderette:
- Size, volume, and capacity: The more appliances you can safely fit into your premises, the higher your potential for profit. Of course, the capacity of each machine is also worth noting; high-volume washers and tumble dryers are generally favoured for laundromats, since they can accommodate the highest load sizes and all types of linens and garments.
- Ease of use: Granted, you’ll want to ensure that your laundry equipment is packed with the latest features, but not at the expense of ease of use. Remember that these machines are intended for public use – not by experienced people who know their way around advanced commercial laundry equipment.
- A range of payment options: In our experience, a lack of payment options is a considerable barrier to the long-term success of public-facing laundry businesses. That’s why we recommend sourcing “coin-operated” machines that also feature cashless payment options, so you can accommodate all customer preferences.
That’s not an exhaustive list of things to consider when sourcing equipment for a new launderette business, but it should give you an idea of the kind of features and attributes to look for. Remember that the JLA team is on hand to help with your commercial laundry equipment needs, just as we were for Blackswan Linen.
A checklist of equipment for a new laundry business
Use our checklist to plan which equipment you’re going to need for your new laundromat. Generally speaking, we would recommend the following as the basic setup for a newly-established launderette in the UK:
- Two or more 9kg washing machines: For general wash loads, at least two or more 9kg+ commercial washers like the JLA 98 should do the trick.
- One or more 18kg+ washers: For larger and more specialised loads (like duvets, for example), we recommend a large-capacity washer like the JLA Coin-operated SMART Wash CW.
- Three or more 14kg+ tumble dryers: For many customers, access to a tumble dryer could be one of the main reasons why they’re visiting your launderette. As such, we recommend three or more appliances like the JLA 30.
- High-capacity commercial tumble dryer: For larger and more specialist drying loads, invest in one or more high-capacity tumble dryers that can accommodate heavy items like duvets.
That’s a basic starting point on which to base the equipment requirements of your new launderette business. Note, too, that you may need other types of appliances depending on the services you’re looking to offer – be it commercial finishing equipment or air filtration systems.
Remember, also, that lots of JLA commercial laundry equipment is stackable, helping you maximise space in your launderette. Our experts can help you configure the best setup and configuration for your equipment, based on the size and layout of your premises.
Launderette business FAQs: Get your questions answered
We recognise that there’s a lot to consider when setting up a new laundry business. That’s why we’ve done our best to answer key FAQs that relate to launderettes and wash rooms, providing useful insights and practical guidance.
How much does a launderette make a year in the UK?
According to the latest industry figures, the average small-to-medium-sized laundromat in the UK generates an average of £60,000 to £180,000 per annum. Of course, that varies based on a range of factors, including location, price point, equipment capacity, competing brands, and the availability of additional services.
How can you improve the customer experience in a launderette?
There are several ways to improve the experience that customers have when visiting your new launderette. For example:
Offer free Wi-Fi to all visitors so that they can browse while they wait for a cycle to finish.
- Provide adequate, comfortable seating
- Make sure you support a range of payment options – including cash and card
- Consider installing a vending machine or similar to provide refreshments and snacks
- Provide air conditioning and air filtration to ensure a pleasant environment
Do I need staff, or can a laundrette run unattended?
No, you don’t necessarily need staff to run your laundrette; with coin-operated and cashless commercial laundry equipment, running an unattended and self-service wash room is feasible.
However, be mindful that while a staff-free laundromat is certainly the cheapest option, it may not be the safest or the easiest to manage. Vandalism, theft, or even accidental damage are much more likely if your laundromat is unsupervised for long periods.
We hope this guide on how to set up a laundrette in the UK offers some practical tips and guidance that you can take away and apply to your own business. Our experts are only a phone call away, so contact us for on-the-ground help in setting up your new commercial laundry venture.
- 20 mins
FREE Download: Starting A Launderette
If you’re thinking of setting up a laundry business, read our overview of all the things you need to consider.
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- Customers
- Location
- Parking
- Services to offer
- Planning Permission
- Equipment
For more expert insights, visit the JLA Knowledge Hub.
