Owner of Peters' Cleaners to launch automated machine in Serpentine Green

This time last year Peters’ Cleaners was celebrating having secured the Independent Retailer of the Year title at the Mercury Business Awards for the second time.

But since then, Vicky Whiter, the owner of the dry cleaning company, has watched her business change dramatically as plans to expand were put on hold.

Despite remaining open throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the business - which has stores in Stamford and Peterborough - operated with a reduced number of staff, new opening hours and an increase in curtain drop-offs.

“It was challenging because we are in a funny situation,” said Vicky.

“We were declared as an essential retailer so we could stay open.

“No other dry cleaner in the area decided to stay open but we still had a good revenue and wanted to keep a relationship with clients.”

She said she believes bigger businesses would have struggled to remain open due to the size of their factories and the cost of bills.

In lockdown there were very few requests for suits and unsurprisingly no wedding dresses were bought in.

Instead people were more keen to have their curtains, rugs, duvets and cuddly toys dry cleaned.

“It was because people were spending time at home redecorating and spring cleaning,” explained Vicky.

“A few customers’ washing machines were broken and they couldn’t get people out to fix them.”

Like many businesses, Peters’ Cleaners also benefited from Government grants.

Vicky said: “We welcomed the help. The company takings dramatically fell in revenue.

“The week after lockdown we were down 90 per cent.”

Vicky, who kept working in the Stamford store, added: “I furloughed everybody but two of my staff - one in the factory and one in the Peterborough shop.

“The furlough scheme, for us, worked really well and we are getting everybody back so the ending of it isn’t an issue.”

The decrease in business also put a longer waiting time on services as Peters’ Cleaners is restricted by chemical laws. Vicky likened it to not putting washing on everyday for just a few items but instead doing it every week.

Business has now returned to usual at Peters’ Cleaners and all 10 staff are set to return by the end of October.

“When people are doing their dry cleaning it gives us enough business to tick along,” she said.

Vicky’s latest business venture is a clothes collection bin at Serpentine Green in Peterborough.

Customers will be able to sign up as members, scan their clothes and collect them from the same site days later.

The 24/7 service will allow customers to drop off and pick up their clothing at any time, making it more convenient for shift workers and commuters, as well as those in the high risk category who don’t want to come into contact with anyone else.

Vicky said: “I came up with it before coronavirus for convenience.

“During lockdown we had a couple of issues because it’s the first in Europe so it’s a new thing.

“When you do those projects it is always things you don’t expect.”

She is also looking to put an automated machine at Peterborough Station but has no plans on bringing the invention to Stamford because people enjoy coming into the shop in St Paul’s Street.

Vicky said: “The problem with Stamford is how we would have to redesign the whole shop.

“All buildings are listed and having something put in like a cash machine is more challenging.

“Most people in Stamford probably commute to Peterborough.”

As shown by the determination of Vicky and her staff there’s never been a more important time to recognise businesses that go the extra mile to support customers and the community.

Nominations are now open for the 15th Mercury Business Awards celebrating the hard-working companies in the area.

Keen to secure a top spot again, Peters’ Cleaners has entered this year’s Mercury Business Awards.

Vicky said she would definitely recommend entering to other businesses as it’s a ‘fantastic event’.

She added: “We’ve entered again this year and nominated another business.

“You get lots of coverage and it’s great as the judging is done with a lot of integrity.”

To enter the awards visit www.mercurybusinessawards.co.uk .