UK/INTERNATIONAL
LCNi editor Kathy Bowry would very much like to hear from textile care businesses in all sectors, UK and international, about their experiences during the pandemic.
The North American textile care trade body, TRSA, recently commissioned a global study by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Claire Casey, global managing director, public policy practice, EIU, summed up the report saying: “While industry demand will weaken through 2021, the industry will achieve modest growth worldwide through 2024, with demand for workwear improving as industries across the global economy recover from the Covid-19-driven downturn. Healthcare demand will drive a stable outlook for flat linen goods. Hotels, hurt by Covid-19-related declines in business and leisure travel, will face adverse impacts through to 2022. Thereafter, hotels will expand quickly, according to the analysis.”
Prior to that report, the Textile Services Association’s (TSA) David Stevens commented in a message to his membership in the UK as hospitality businesses started reopening in the summer: “We continue to see a clear divide in the hospitality sector. Stay vacation locations are doing well, many fully booked until late September. I have even heard of one or two niche laundries now busier than last year. However, for the vast majority the news is not so good with virtually no corporate or business travel. We had a call with all the European National Associations last week and they are all reporting very similar trends. Generally, companies are 75% down on last year with little sign of a real bounce back.”
Now, as winter approaches and the Covid-19 R-rate increases to an alarming level, more restrictions across the UK come into play to try to arrest the transmission of the virus, the hospitality laundries will be feeling the brunt – again. Restraints on movement and numbers in social gatherings as well as early closing for pubs and restaurants and the failure of hotels in city centres to attract numbers is inevitably going to take its toll on businesses.
Many hospitality laundries are struggling to survive and retail drycleaners, too, are having a tough time. Or are you one of the niche businesses bucking the trend? Have you adapted to survive? Whatever the case, LCNi would be very interested to hear from you. Please contact E: kathy.bowry@laundryandcleaningnews.com to get your voice heard and your story told.
• For the latest news and views and practical help on combating Covid-19, catch up with the UK October digital edition of LCN
