Speed Queen laundromat opens in Belgard – its 15th shop in Ireland
IT IS a landmark week for laundromat business Speed Queen, as it has opened its 1,000th shop in Europe and 15th in Ireland with the grand opening of its facility in Belgard.
Speed Queen is a subsidiary of the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial laundry, Alliance Laundry Systems LLC.
Deeps Neeuq Ltd (DNL), which is Speed Queen in reverse, won the license to exclusively operate the laundromat brand in Ireland.
CEO of DNL Patrick Brennan shows great enthusiasm for the business and where the company can go – with the firm on track to have 25 Speed Queens in operation in Ireland by September.
“Since we opened our first one on November 1, last year, the response has been absolutely incredible,” Mr Brennan tells The Echo.
“Genuinely, we haven’t had one complaint, people are just really happy with the service.
“Our machines are completely cashless, which is the first of its kind in the world.
“We’re bringing totally unmanned facilities all around Ireland, with our machine filters cleaned every day by our contractors.
Republic of Ireland international and Peamount United player Stephanie Roche at the launch of the new Belgard laundromat
“I have a background in laundry, particular with those outdoor machines and I saw a need to create a cleaner, more environmentally friendly business which utilises better technology.
“We don’t use hot water because that can damage clothing, and we use 40 per cent less water and 40 per cent less energy.”
Through a new concept called ozonisation, machines can help kill microorganisms 3,000 times faster than bleach and each one is fitted with heat exchange technology to help recycle potential lost heat.
These machines – which can cost in the region of €5,000 – pump detergent and softener into clothes throughout the entire wash cycle, leaving “clothes coming out fully clean, bacteria-clean, fresher and softer,” according to Mr Brennan.
Located just off the Old Belgard Road, on the site of the former Belgard Inn, Speed Queen has 11 washers and 11 dryers, with a pet-friendly corner for animal-used garments.
The shop is open 7am to 10pm every day, with 8kg, 14kg and 18kg drum washing machines available for use alongside 18kg dryers.
Depending on size, a wash can cost €5-10 with a dry wash costing €2.70 for 15 minutes.
Republic of Ireland international and Peamount United player Stephanie Roche attended the launch at the new Belgard facility along with director of Speed Queen licensed stores in Europe, Marco Treggiari.
