The event will take place on Sunday October 19 at the Hilton Dartford Bridge Hotel, Masthead Close, Crossways Business Park, Dartford, Kent.

The seminar, which will last from 10am to 2pm, is still being planned but Christine Richardson, head of fabric care at Satra and Patrick Dowling of Alex Reid have both agreed to speak.

Costas Kyriakou, who runs Mackenzies cleaners in Southgate, North London, will be chairman of the new centre. Though reluctant to reveal too many future palns, he told LCN: “We have got a few new ideas for the industry. Some of these may be revealed in October.”

  He stressed that although the event would launch the London/Southern centre this was an occasion that was open to all.