The judges have reviewed all the entries for the Laundry and Drycleaning Awards 2020 and we’re delighted to announce the full shortlist of finalists in this issue. In the line up are industry businesses of all sizes from across the UK.

You’ll even spot some previous winners in there looking to claim an award for the second, even third time. What they all have in common is talent, dedication and innovative desire to stand out from the crowd. Lockdown presented many with the opportunity and time to put together good quality entries with sound evidence – and it showed.

The judges had their work cut out for them this year and those that made the list of finalists are of the highest calibre and a true example of our industry’s finest. We look forward to announcing the winners shortly.

The Laundry and Drycleaning Awards – The LADAs – are very much a firm fixture on the industry’s annual calendar now. MD Mark Gleed of MEG Events, organisers of the LADAs said: “We started the LADAS in 2015 after establishing a gap in the market to identify and celebrate the best in the industry. “In the beginning it was a small event held in an afternoon in a conference room in Reading. It’s very different now – bigger, better, more prestigious. The annual black tie evening attracts well over 200 guests each year and it’s always a fun event with plenty of networking across the industry.

“This year COVID means that things will be a little different. Behind the scenes we’ve been planning for so many eventualities and, based on the latest government advice, we now believe that the right approach is to make the decision to hold a virtual event this year – the vLADAs! “There’s far too much uncertainty around proposing a date for a physical event with the constantly changing guidelines. It’s important that the winners of LADAs 2020 are recognised and celebrated in 2020 and the only way to do it is virtually.

“We’re already working with experts in this type of event and we look forward to sharing all the details of how to get involved. Watch out for updates online, in our newsletters and on social media, as well as in our next issue.” “Our thanks to everyone who entered and our congratulations to all those who have made the shortlist. The very best of luck to you! And our sincere thanks to our sponsors for their continued support and understanding through all the uncertainty. We really are very grateful to you,” Gleed concludes.

Announcing your LADA 2020 finalists

• 1 Stop Wash
• American Dry Cleaning Company
• Aquapak
• ARMH
• At the Well Launderette
• Bill Larnach (Electrolux Professional)
• CanDo Laundry
• Christeyns
• Clean Supply
• CleanCloud
• Crown Tailoring & Drycleaning
• Dunmow Ironing Parlour
• East Anglia Laundry
• Ecolab
• Electrolux Professional
• Elite Drycleaners
• Farthings Dry Cleaners
• Harrods Drycleaners
• Hoesh International Ltd
• Industrial Laundry Equipment
• Jeeves of Belgravia
• Jensen UK
• Johnsons Cleaners
• Johnsons Service Group
• Kannegiesser UK
• Laundry Engineering Services
• Mark Rimmer (CLEAN)
• Michael J Michael (Renzacci UK Plc)
• Moonrock Dry Cleaners
• NTG Training
• NuClean
• OXWASH
• Peters’ Cleaners
• PHS Besafe
• PHS Group
• Press In
• Regenex
• Renzacci UK
• Royal Oldham Hospital (Northern Care Alliance Group)
• Somerton & Street Drycleaners
• SPOT EMEA
• Squeeky Laundry
• Super Laundry
• Tabish Aiman (SPOT/ Tex ID)
• Tex ID
• The Efficiency Group
• Total Fabric Solutions
• Waterside Launderette

After much deliberation and contingency planning about how best to hold the LADAs 2020 in light of continually shifting COVID-19 guidelines, the MEG Events and Laundry & Cleaning Today team have made the decision to hold the event virtually – the vLADAs! It’s important that we celebrate the exceptional talent in the textile care, laundry and drycleaning industry today and recognising our fantastic winners for all they’ve achieved. In light of the very latest guidelines we now believe that running a virtual event is the best, and only way forward.

We’re currently working with virtual event specialists to make sure what we do is in keeping with the prestigiousness and professionalism of the LADAs. We’ll be keeping finalists, registered guests and sponsors up-to-date with information about the event, including the date, as we know more.

A virtual event means we’re not restricted to table numbers or venue capacities so it will be open to anyone in the industry to join in the celebrations. We’ll issue all the registration details in our next issue, and online and on all our usual social channels. So, for everyone that’s keen to be involved with the vLADAs 2020 then watch this space!