The association faced a trade deficit at the end of the last financial year, but this was largely due to investment in recruitment schemes to attract members from smaller laundry and drycleaning businesses. Outgoing President Nigel Armstrong said the money had been well spent.

Chief Executive Murray Simpson said the association’s role had changed from trade protection to representation of the members’ interests. The industry was being strangled by regulation.

The mood of reform will be continued by the new president, Martyn Lewis who has promised to take a long hard look at the TSA’s activities. Reviewing services to members would be a priority.

A full report of the AGM will appear in LCN’s June issue .