Trustpilot rated excellent
  • Search
  • MyJLA User Icon
    • Back
    • Manage your account online with MyJLA

      My JLA supports the smooth running of your business, with statements, job sheets, site information and essential documents all in one place.

      Sign in
      Register your interest
    • Back
JLA - Celebrating 50 years
  • Products
    • Back
      • Laundry
        Back
        • Commercial & Industrial Washing Machines
          • Coin-operated
          • Barrier
          • Stacked
        • Commercial & Industrial Tumble Dryers
          • Coin-operated
          • Stacked
          • Safe technology
        • Irons & finishing
          • Irons
          • Ironing boards tables
          • Rotary
        • Detergents & chemicals
          • Cleaning chemicals
          • Auto dosing-pumps
        • OTEX
          • Laundry disinfection
        Back
      • Catering
        • Back
          • Cooking appliances
            • Ovens
            • Fryers
            • Grills
            • Griddles
            • Hobs
            • Induction hobs
            • Bratt pans
            • Microwaves
          • Fridges & freezers
            • Fridges
            • Freezers
            • Ice machines
            • Blast chillers
          • Dish & glasswashers
            • Dishwashers
            • Glasswashers
            • Utensil washers
          • Food warmers
            • Bain marie
            • Hot cupboards
          • Water boilers
          • Commercial kitchen installation
          • Modular
          • Furniture
          • Cleaning chemicals
        • Back
      • Heating & AC
        • Back
        • Heating
          • Boilers
            • Wall mounted
            • Floor standing
            • Commercial boiler service contracts
            • Boiler servicing price calculator
          • Hot water cylinders
          • Water storage heaters
        • Air conditioning
        • Back
      • Fire safety & security
        • Back
          • Fire safety equipment
              • Fire fighting equipment
                • Extinguishers
              • Buildings & escape routes
                • Doors
                • AOVS
                • Emergency lighting
              • Alarm checks
              • Initial site survey
              • Detection systems
          • Fire safety services
            • Fire risk assessments
            • Fire safety training
            • Evacuation planning
            • Fire safety cover
        • Back
      • Infection Control
        • Back
          • Hygiene
            • Medical macerators
            • Bedpan washers
          • OTEX
            • Ozone laundry disinfection
            • Ozone room disinfection
            • Ozone air purifier
          • Sterile Services
        • Back
      • Discover Total Care
        • Back
        • Total Care

          A unique, all-inclusive package, specially designed for you.
          You pay nothing upfront, and get free installation with 24/7 emergency support, access to MyJLA, and remote equipment monitoring for proactive care.

          All for a simple monthly fee.
          Discover Total Care
          Total Care is now fully connected
          Remote monitoring from JLA Connect helps you track energy usage, cut downtime and make sure your laundry equipment is running at its best.
          Discover JLA Connect
        • Back
    • Back
  • About Us
    • Back
    • Who we are
    • Careers
    • ESG at JLA
    • Accreditations
    • Blog
    • Total Care from JLA
    • Testimonials
    • Back
  • Sectors
    • Back
        • Care Homes
        • Facilities management
        • Football clubs
        • NHS & Healthcare
        • Health clubs
        • Hotels & spas
        • Housing
        • Launderettes
        • Prisons
        • Pubs & restaurants
        • Schools
        • Vets & animal care
    • Back
  • Help & advice
    • Back
      • Existing customers

      • Need an engineer?
      • Accounts billing
      • Service & support
      • Energy SMART hub
      • MyJLA
      • The JLA app
      • Contact us
      • Manage your account online with MyJLA

        My JLA supports the smooth running of your business, with statements, job sheets, site information and essential documents all in one place.

        Sign in
        Register your interest
    • Back
  • Contact
  • Call us free:
    01422822282
Get a quote
JLA - Celebrating 50 years
Contact us by phone
MyJLA User Icon
Search
  • Commercial laundry
    • Commercial washing machines
      • Coin-operated
      • Barrier
      • Stacked
      • View all washing machines
    • Commercial tumble dryers
      • Coin operated
      • Stacked
      • Safe technology
      • View all tumble dryers
    • Irons & finishing
      • Irons
      • Ironing boards tables
      • Rotary
      • View all finishing
    • Detergents & chemicals
      • Cleaning chemicals
  • Catering equipment
    • Cooking appliances
      • Commercial ovens
      • Fryers
      • Grills
      • Griddles
      • Hobs
      • Induction hobs
      • Bratt pans
      • Microwaves
      • View all cooking appliances
    • Refrigeration
      • Fridges
      • Freezers
      • Ice machines
      • Blast chillers
      • View all refrigeration
    • Dishwashers & glasswashers
      • Commercial dishwashers
      • Commercial glasswashers
      • Utensil-washers
      • View all dishwashers & glasswashers
    • Food warmers
      • Bain marie
      • Hot cupboards
      • View all food warmers
    • Water boilers
      • JLA water boiler
    • Modular
    • Cleaning chemicals
    • Furniture
  • Heating & AC
    • Heating
      • Boilers
      • Hot water cylinders
      • Water storage heaters
      • Boiler servicing price calculator
    • Air conditioning
  • Fire safety & security
    • Equipment
      • Detection systems
      • Fire fighting equipment
      • Buildings & escape routes
      • Initial site survey
      • Alarm checks
    • Evacuation planning
    • Fire safety cover
  • Infection Control
    • Hygiene
      • Medical macerators
      • Bedpan washers
    • OTEX
      • Ozone laundry disinfection
      • Ozone room disinfection
      • Ozone air purifier
    • Sterile Services
  • Total Care
    • Discover Total Care
    • JLA Connect
  • Sectors
    • Care Homes
    • Hotels & spas
    • Pubs & restaurants
    • Schools
    • Housing
    • Facilities management
    • NHS & Healthcare
    • Prisons
    • Vets & animal care
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • Careers
    • ESG at JLA
    • Accreditations
    • Blog
    • Total Care from JLA
  • Help & advice
    • Need an engineer?
    • Accounts & billing
    • Service & support
    • Energy SMART hub
    • MyJLA
    • The JLA app
    • Contact us
  • Contact
?>

Month: January 2015

When Peter Marks decided to open the Lost Sock Launderette in Aylesbury, he knew he would need help getting his ‘total laundry centre’ up and running. Washing had previously been an alien concept to Peter, but with JLA’s help, starting a launderette was a straightforward process. Here are Peter’s top tips for a successful start-up:

“Only work with the best suppliers”

I spoke to two laundry machine providers who were unhelpful to say the least and only wanted to ‘shift boxes’ – one even admitted that they ‘didn’t care’ where I got my service support from! Luckily, JLA came along and took care of everything for me. My consultant Andrew Scott has his own shop, which he took me to and literally walked me through the whole set-up needed for a successful launderette. I had lots of questions, but he had all the answers, and once I made the decision to work with JLA he made sure the layout planning, delivery and installation was completely hassle-free. Even now, I think of him as my ‘Laundry Doctor’ and just pick up the phone to him if I ever have a problem or need advice. Training was also provided, so all my staff can offer great customer service too.

“Think big”

My JLA washers enable me to get through large loads quickly, which means I can take more revenue over the course of a day. And my stacked dryers give me up to triple the capacity that would be possible from single machine units, without taking up any extra floor space. It all adds up capacity-wise, and means we can take on contract work as well as seasonal ‘bulk’ work for sports teams and so on. During the All Blacks’ European tour, they stayed and trained here in Aylesbury… and chose us to do their kit washes! On one occasion, we took on 42 black sacks of laundry, which we were able to turn around in 24 hours. We also did service washes for the Saudi Arabian team during the London Paralympics.

“Become a part of the community”

We sponsor a local football team, and so we’re involved in the social aspect of the local area which has a population of 70,000. It helps get our name out there, and of course we have a little extra business every weekend when the muddy kits come in.

“Don’t underestimate publicity”

Advertise online and put your business into as many web directories as possible, and make sure you offer a one-stop laundry solution. I had flyers made up to advertise the fact that we do duvets, and we’re now washing 30-40 a week!

“Always go the extra mile”

We could quite easily have installed a vending machine in the shop, but I prefer to make my customers a cup of tea or coffee and have a chat while their loads are in. I get to know people better, which is the main benefit, but it also means people want to come back again and again…and tell their friends about The Lost Sock too. Providing free parking is also a must, to attract more busy customers, and you should never have a minimum order – if it needs washing, wash it!

“Become a member of NALI”

JLA advised me to go to an event put on by The National Association for the Launderette Industry (NALI), which I did. I got a real feel for what I needed to look out for, which coupled with JLA’s advice ensured I had everything in place before I opened my shop.

“Visit other launderettes”

My visit to Andrew’s shop was invaluable, and I’d recommend doing the same to other prospective shop owners. My doors are always open too, for anyone who wants to see JLA’s first-class equipment in action!

Peter Marks, The Lost Sock Launderette

Recent Posts

  • What’s the difference between domestic and commercial laundry detergent? 
  • Financial support for care homes
  • Alternative heating systems from JLA
  • What is the size of a commercial washing machine?
  • What’s the difference between domestic and commercial washing machines?

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • May 2023
    • April 2023
    • March 2023
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • December 2021
    • April 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • February 2020
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • July 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • January 2019
    • September 2018
    • May 2018
    • October 2017
    • August 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • August 2016
    • May 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • March 2015
    • January 2015
    • November 2014
    • May 2014

    Categories

    • Catering
    • Energy saving
    • Fire safety
    • General
    • Heating & air conditioning
    • Hygiene
    • Laundry
    • Testimonials

    Meta

    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.org
    Need help? Call us on

    01422822282

    Facebook Linkedin
    Products
    • Laundry equipment
    • Catering equipment
    • Heating & AC
    • Fire safety
    • Infection Control
    Menu
    • Laundry equipment
    • Catering equipment
    • Heating & AC
    • Fire safety
    • Infection Control
    Sectors
    • Care homes
    • NHS & Healthcare
    • Health clubs
    • Hospitality
    • Facilities management
    • Football clubs
    • Restaurants
    • Vets & animal care
    • More sectors
    Menu
    • Care homes
    • NHS & Healthcare
    • Health clubs
    • Hospitality
    • Facilities management
    • Football clubs
    • Restaurants
    • Vets & animal care
    • More sectors
    Solutions
    • Laundry equipment
    • Catering equipment
    • Heating & AC
    • Fire safety
    • Infection Control
    Menu
    • Laundry equipment
    • Catering equipment
    • Heating & AC
    • Fire safety
    • Infection Control
    About JLA
    • Who we are
    • Careers
    • ESG at JLA
    • Accreditations
    • Blog
    • Total Care from JLA
    • Testimonials
    Menu
    • Who we are
    • Careers
    • ESG at JLA
    • Accreditations
    • Blog
    • Total Care from JLA
    • Testimonials
    • Privacy & cookies
    • Terms & conditions
    • Modern slavery
    • Covid-19
    • Responsibility
    • Site map
    • Privacy & cookies
    • Terms & conditions
    • Modern slavery
    • Covid-19
    • Responsibility
    • Site map

    Talk to our experts today

    Find out more By providing your email address we can send you information about JLA's products & services and special offers which we think might be of interest to you.
    Keeping your information safe >>