There are celebrations at Tavistock Launderette this month as Johnny and Tracey Hounsell mark 30 years in the business. In 1994 the late Don Harrison started Tavistock Launderette with his wife Kay and daughter Tracey in the East End Stores, a stone’s throw from their current premises in the perimeter of Tavistock Pannier Market, the old library, which they relocated to in 2001. At this point Tracey’s husband Johnny joined the business, and they started to expand the range of services that they offered.
Tracey and Johnny still run the thriving business today, with the help of six members of staff. Whilst still offering self and service wash and dries, they have expanded their service and now launder a range of items from clothes and bedding, duvets, quilts and toppers (all fillings), curtains and pillows to name just a few as well as the very busy pressing/ironing service.
Inside the shop you will find a large range of laundry items for sale including bags, lint rollers, suit covers and classic pegs as well as do it yourself Nikwax products.
Their services are ever expanding to accommodate the new demands of all their customers, which is why another service, their waterproof gear and puffa jacket/gillet washing and reproofing service using Nikwax products, is something that has proved very popular in Tavistock where both rain and walking on Dartmoor are a part of life. Tavistock Launderette has developed a large commercial clientele including airbnbs, self-catering, restaurants and local sports clubs to name a few, which is growing year on year.
A collection and delivery service for both commercial and domestic customers was introduced many years ago and is still proving to be very popular.
Johnny and Tracey feel truly proud of the business that they have built up. They want to thank everyone who has supported them over the years, from the regulars who have been coming “every Thursday for the past 24 years” to the grateful occasional users who find a warm welcome when their washing machine has broken down, to their commercial customers, a lot of whom have become friends over the years.
“Without our customers, we wouldn’t have been here for 30 years,” said Johnny. “Looking at how the high street has changed over the years; we are proud and grateful that we are still here and doing well. We have had some amazing and supportive members of staff over the years, who have made the days at work fun and have stayed in contact when they have moved on.”
Johnny and Tracey said: “We would like to thank all our staff, past and present, for their hard work and commitment over the years and all our customers for their loyal service and support. It really is down to them that we are able to celebrate our special anniversary.”