At the time of writing, it’s exactly three years since the UK was locked down in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In so doing many business sectors shut down and people were ordered to stay at home. The announcement ushered in some of the most drastic restrictions the UK had ever seen.
And while some enjoyed the enforced absence from work and other responsibilities, many more suffered, from the virus itself or from the isolation it caused for both those at home or in care homes or stuck abroad.
Lost business
For most businesses, especially small and medium independents, it was the ultimate nightmare scenario. The first 2020 lockdown left a significant impact on the economy, shrinking it by a fifth. The subsequent two lockdowns shrank it further. It had been estimated that the economy would return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Following the recent budget, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, it will not until 2024. It has of course been buffeted by further challenges.
Among those sectors worst affected has been the hospitality industry, which is huge and extremely important to the nation’s economy. It employs more than three million people and generates more than £130bn of economic activity per annum.
The pandemic caused some £100bn in lost sales in the industry, and saw businesses accrue £8bn in debt. Meanwhile, the laundry industry, which plays a vital role in keeping the hospitality industry running, missed out on government support during this time and has been hit hard. It still needs support, thanks to the combination of the cost of living crisis and ongoing staff shortages.
Part of the solution
In November, last year, the Textile Services Association (TSA), which represents commercial laundry and textile rental businesses, urged Government to consider the “big picture” of the laundry and hospitality industries working hand-in-hand.
A news article in Laundry and Cleaning News International (LCN) wrote of bold action being needed to safeguard economic recovery:
“The TSA is supporting UK Hospitality’s call for Government support to help the hospitality industry bounce back from the effects of Covid-19 and is highlighting the importance of including the laundry industry as part of any future solution.”
In another LCN article in January this year about the laundry industry’s exclusion from the Government’s Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII) scheme, David Stevens, CEO of TSA is quoted as saying:
“We think our industry has lot to offer and is part of the solution not the problem in terms of Covid hygiene issues and energy as commercial laundry businesses are far more efficient in both respects than domestic washing.”
Supporting hospitality and hospitals
That word ‘Covid’ again. We may now hear it infrequently but Covid hasn’t gone away. And the laundry industry is needed as much as it has ever been over the last three years. The industry provides the right and efficient support both to the care system (with commercial laundries often found near hospitals and care homes) and for the hospitality sector where it’s essential that everything is spotlessly cleaned and ‘anti-bacced’ – tablecloths, napkins, aprons, towels and the like.
Liver Laundry have always provided service to these sectors even before the pandemic, because we know the importance of the highest standards of hygiene. We provide the very best quality washing machines, dryers and dishwashers at excellent prices that will meet all needs no matter the size of the operation.
Expert advice
When it comes to choosing the right commercial laundry machine there is no one-size-fits-all solution and to make the right decision, it’s important to consider the size of the business, the types of loads to be handled and budgets. Liver Laundry is here to help our customers and clients make the right decision whether that’s making a purchase or renting with a variety of purchase options.
All of our machines can be maintained under one of our maintenance options and we have a full installation service so new equipment can be ordered in the knowledge it will be installed correctly.
These off the perfect solutions for any hospitality, hospital, care home or sports club which will ensure that you are not only continuing to look after your customers and other service users, but your staff too.
