95 jobs saved at Bates of London laundry

Leonard Curtis Business Solutions Group has completed the sale of the business and assets of Bates of London Limited, the long-established London laundry contractor, and saved all 95 jobs.

Bates of London, which can trace its history back to 1886, specialises in linen hire and contract laundry for hotels, health clubs and restaurants across the UK.

It was sold to existing management following an intensive period of marketing at the end of last year.

Administrators Neil Bennett of Leonard Curtis and Ian Yerrill of YM Business Recovery Limited were called in by directors at Bates of London following a prolonged struggle with the effects of coronavirus on the hospitality industry, together with rising energy costs.

The administrators worked closely with all concerned to deliver the best possible outcome for stakeholders. Bennett commented: “This was a great business with a long history which deserved to survive unprecedented recent pressures and we were delighted to find a buyer to take it on and retain the workforce in full.”

At its height Bates of London was processing over 50 million pieces of laundry a year with two processing plants and a dedicated team.

Neil Bennett of Leonard Curtis