Taking a very pragmatic approach to the effects of the pandemic, Home and Dry garment care and home service has opened three facilities since the start of the Covid crisis.

The latest addition, a brand-new receiving shop in East Street, Havant, fulfils the gap left when the established drycleaner had to close its doors several months ago.

James Glue, operations and marketing manager, said: “There aren’t many places opening in this environment and we have opened three in a year. When we have seen an opportunity, we have not held back, we’ve gone in there.” All three members of staff, made redundant by the closed cleaners, have been hired by Home and Dry. Julia Willkins, Home and Dry’s owner, said: “Local communities need our services, and we have to find ways that support this, maintain employment and not let our high streets decline any further.”

By utilising capacity at their Chichester central processing plant, the Havant receiving shop will provide a full service offering including bed linen, garment care, suede and leather and rug cleaning.

Opening offers included a special on duvets, both synthetic and feather, to get across the message to customers of hygiene and good housekeeping. The previous occupants of their new premises, a high-end apparel hire company which consolidated from two locations to one, had created a space which was already of a good standard.

Home and Dry improved the space by applying their branding, freshening up the interior and adding a new counter and ePOS system. They felt it was important to demonstrate that a modern, clean interior fit out sends the message and reassurance that a reputable cleaner was in town again with the expertise and capacity to provide consistent high-quality results.

Despite the restrictions of the current lockdown, there has been some footfall since the opening on 8 February and it’s steadily increasing as word gets out. They’ve also invested in running marketing campaigns on social media using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to help spread the word that they’re open.

To further reinforce Home and Dry’s future success they’ve also opened a f lorist called Chichester Flowers. A member of the Home and Dry team happened to be a fully trained florist so their Chichester brand also incorporates this added extra offering flowers, balloons and gifts delivered through their current laundry delivery network. This has already proven a success and has received over 20 orders in the first three weeks of opening.

The Home & Dry team

James Glue, operations and marketing manager and Julia Willkins, owner