KINGS HILL DRYCLEANERS - THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

 

The site was once a disused airfield but the rumble of planes has been replaced by the steady hum of the drycleaning machine at Kent’s Kings Hill Drycleaners. What hasn’t changed are the high flying ambitions of all involved in this exciting new business and residential development.

 

The words ‘new town’ can have an unfortunate ring to British ears linked with an almost Pavlovian flash to an image of concrete cows.  But banish the bovines, for the Kings Hill development in Kent has a totally natural feel to it and the residential properties are within easy walking distance to retail, leisure and educational facilities.  It all adds up a community, almost a village, feel.

 

Kings Hill is a joint initiative by Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd and Kent County Council.  As a concept it was inspired by similar American developments.  The 650-acre site will eventually house some 2,600 homes and – more importantly for the retailer – more than 100,000 economically active people.  Businesses already on site include many from the financial and technical sector including Barclays, Cabot Financial and Analogue Devices.

 

The new drycleaning unit is situated in Liberty Square, the heart of project, close by the local superstore and nestling amongst restaurants, a library and a selection of other shops.

 

A financier by profession, owner Tony Warner was looking for a long-term future investment and decided on drycleaning after a great deal of market research.

 

“Drycleaning is something I had experienced only as a consumer, but I did a lot of research before deciding to come into the industry.  Once I’d made that decision I started again and did a lot more research to make to sure that I was investing in the right location and putting in the right equipment,” he says.

 

Tony might be new to the industry but shop manageress Sandra Crabb has amassed an impressive 40 years in the industry working in all areas of the processing and shop service and specialising in finishing wedding silks and fine garments.

 

“I was closely involved in choosing what we needed in the shop,” she explains. “We’re doing all the processing work on site and it was important to get everything right.”

 

This combination of research and a determination to ‘get everything right’ led Tony Warner to choose Renzacci UK Plc for the complete package of design and installation.

 

“They had the attitude I was looking for,” notes Tony.  “Renzacci came in right from the start with very modern, forward-looking ideas and belief that the customer deserves the very best you can give them.”

 

Jason Alexander, managing director of Renzacci UK plc, adds, “Tony had very definite ideas about how the development should proceed and as a supplier it is satisfying to work with someone who is so determined to make their outlet something to be proud of.  Apart from the machinery, we were involved at all stages of the planning process.

 

“In terms of equipment, there were a number of small barriers we needed to overcome. The concrete shop floor was not strong enough to support the weight of the machinery so we had to recalculate and relay it. The second problem was access.  In order to get the machines to the workroom we had to liaise with the landlord and enter via the empty shop unit next door.  This involved totally removing and then rebuilding the wall between the two units. However, that’s not unusual and we’re used to working in difficult locations.  At the end of installation day the buildings were once again perfect!”

 

The shop has been fitted out with a full range of equipment.  The fully-specified Progress 45 drycleaning machine, Pony Cosmos-E finishing cabinet with boiler, Pony Silver finishing table Pony SP/U Press, Jolly spotting table, Pony MG402 shirt machine and a Pony GE65 Boiler.  On the laundry side there is a 35lb high spin washer and 50lb tumble dryer.  There is also an ACS conveyor is linked to the DryStream EPoS system.

 

DryStream’s EPoS system, which has been fitted with SAGE accounting software, also includes a text messaging facility that alerts customers by text when their cleaning is ready.  This has proved very popular amongst the technologically-savvy clientele. 

 

The minimalist, free-flowing design of wood, chrome and glass was the creation of Anthony Rudelhoff Design  & Development Ltd.

 

“We’ve worked with DryStream and Tony Rudelhoff on a number of projects,” says Jason Alexander. “It helps a lot when you know you can trust the people you are working with because it leaves you free to concentrate on your own part of the package in the confidence that everything will come together as planned and according to the client’s wishes.”

 

The new shop opened in March with two full time and two part time staff.  A 10 per cent promotion drew in initial customers who have swiftly turned into regulars.  Further promotions, on-line ordering and delivery service are in the pipeline.

 

Manager Sandra Crabb is not at all surprised at how quickly business has built up, “Everything’s fresh and clean.  People like coming here.  It really is a lovely shop – both for the staff and the customers.”