August 26, 2020 4.04 pm This story is over 43 months old

Lincoln laundry moves in big expansion

Hoping to clean up in new premises
Owner Ahmed Hassan can finally look ahead to the future after coronavirus set his business back. Photo: Mel West
By Local Democracy Reporter

A laundry business in Lincoln has expanded with a new premises after a £250,000 investment from its owners.

Lincoln Laundry moved into a unit on Lindum Business Park in North Hykeham back in March just before lockdown, a site five times bigger than its previous home in the Birchwood Shopping Centre.

It has been working as a business for 11 years, starting as a small domestic laundrette before evolving into the go-to place for local hotels and restaurants.

The washing machinery is worth around £130,000. Photo: Mel West

To cope with demand, Lincoln Laundry had to buy more machinery. Photo: Mel West

Owner Ahmed Hassan spent £250,000 on the move to the new premises, including £130,000 worth of new industrial laundry machinery, but the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to his plans.

The 33-year-old, who grew up in Lincoln, said the timing of the pandemic couldn’t have been worse.

“It was such a shock. Just as we were about to ramp up our business, our regular customers and our target customers pretty much shut their doors overnight. In all honesty, it could have been the end of us.

“However, as time passed, the government’s furlough scheme proved to be a vital lifeline. I furloughed my team and kept their jobs open.

“In the end, lockdown actually provided me with a bit of breathing space. We could get properly set up in our new home and take a step back to think about how the business would operate in the future.”

Lincoln Laundry already work with Doddington Hall, Lincoln City FC and BGU. Photo: Mel West

Ahmed said he hopes to work with boutique hotels in the future, with the new space allowing for them to service two tonnes of laundry a day.