Self Service Laundry Business

[studioshare202]

Hi,

Any views on self service laundry,

I own a space on the high street of a satellite town.

I have explored the upfront costs for 5 washers / 5 dryers £62000 inc vat & including equipment set up but not including auxiliary shop fitout. between £15-25.000


Have to source my own maintenance.

Also checked out some of the Licensed Store partnerships look GREAT however twice the price.

Also have to source my own maintenance.

Other options I could finance the machines either trough equipment provider or bank loan of some sort.
Some offer Maintenance but terms are iffy.

Finally, I could Rent the 5 washers & 5 dryers with full maintenance contract to test the market.
From what I understand in my first year with 10 machines after overheads & given there is no rent I could net between £6500 & £10000. I would be the caretaker.

If there was a market I could prove accounts & move over to purchase machines if not more, after a couple of years.

Any suggestions or understanding about self service laundromats?

There have been the outdoor machines in my area & they are popular.

 

[WaveJumper]

Judging by discussions on other threads relating to crippling energy costs have you factored this into your business plan

 

[Mark T Jones]

It's something that needs a hell of a lot of local demographic research.

Oddly, I was reading recently that laundrette could see a surge in demand from the cost of living crisis, but again, its localised/ pocketed

Your questions are valid, but are secondary to demographic

 

[Bob Morgan]

Energy Costs?

 

[fantheflames]

With the certainty and uncertainty of energy costs, I would say that if you're going to start a business - avoid anything like self laundry service.

If there's a way you can make it affordable, dramatically, for consumers... perhaps it could work. But most people already have these machines in their homes.

How much would consumers save?

 

[HFE Signs]

Do people still use these services? I don't know anyone who does?

As above, I'd think very carefully about any business that is heavy in energy consumption.

As you own it, I'd be more tempted to rent it out.

 

[fantheflames]

Do people still use these services? I don't know anyone who does?

As above, I'd think very carefully about any business that is heavy in energy consumption.

As you own it, I'd be more tempted to rent it out.

Good shout.

I don't personally use laundrette services constantly. I would say that I use a laundrette if I need something particular cleaned, like a king-sized duvet that can't fit in my machines or a suit/dress that I don't want to ruin.

Perhaps their potential business location is situated near student halls that don't have these services? Or rented accommodation that's known for only having a washing machine?

Winter months are bleak for renters.