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The Laundry, 1908-1966:
The Hungerford Sanitary Laundry Co. Ltd. was established c.1908, and took over the large building that had previously been Platt's Manor Brewery. (Mr Arnold Billington, Upper Cross, Wood Speen, Boxford – interviewed 22.4.1992 said that his uncle and a partner had bought the brewery and set up the laundry business in the late 1890s? There was a deep well in front of the brewery, but this proved to have insufficient water, so his uncle and business partner started the Hungerford waterworks in Salisbury Road.
Once the purchase was complete, the latest equipment was installed by Messrs Thomas Bradford & Co of London and Manchester, and the firm enjoyed an excellent reputation for the high quality of its work.
The Board of Directors were Edmund Parfitt, George Edmind Platt, Edward Robert Portal, JP (Eddington House), Arthur William Lawrence (Kintbury) and Rev H.D. Butler (Inkpen). Mr H. D'O Astley was Company Secretary.
A report on a visit to the laundry states: 'After inspecting this establishment, I can honestly certify that from the receiving room to the despatch room every detail has been carefully studied, and no expense has been spared to make it a thoroughly up-to-date sanitary laundry, and the motto of the company has been carried out to the letter, viz.: Cleanliness, Efficiency, and Sanitation'. The price list includes ladies bodice (3d.); silk stockings (3d.); doyley (1¼d.); ladies' knickers (3½d. to 6d.); whilst maids' knickers were only 2½d!
The 1911 Kelly's Directory records that William Capern Hidden was the manager; in 1916, the Cosburn Directory recorded that Miss Nye was the manageress, and in 1939 Blacket's Directory records it was run by Mr A E Mayne, manager.
In 1938 the Kelly's Directory records its telephone number as 134.
In 1959 Arnold Billington bought the road and other old buildings (from James' Mill and Dr Kennedy's kitchen garden and tennis court in Manor House).
In the 1950s the laundry company closed, and was bought by Mr John Turner (son of Geoffrey Turner of Hungerford Park, famous in shipping company world) and Mr. ??? Smith (wife was Doris Smith), they called it the "Rose of Hungerford Laundry".
In the late 1950s it was bought by Brooks Cleaners of Bristol.
The laundry closed in December 1966 after several further changes of ownership.
Loheat Engineering:
Loheat started in 1946 behind Norman's Garage in Charnham Street.
It was later to become Loheat engineering.
10th December 1966: The site was bought by Arnold Billington (born in Inkpen, married, lived in Woodspeen for 40 yrs).
The original Manager of Loheat was Leslie Hawkins, a schoolfriend of Arnold Billington. Leslie Hawkins later became a Director. He stayed with the company until his retirement which coincided with the sale of Loheat Ltd. The original Loheat premises had been in Eddington. Sadly, Jack Gibbs, one of the other Loheat Directors, was killed protecting his wife during the Hungerford Massacre. (With thanks to Richard Hawkins, who sent this additional information, Sep 2024).
The brickwork of the old building (built c.1832-1837) was ruined by steam. The house was used as offices – in the very old part.
In c.1990 Loheat was sold to Stratford Property Co. (They had already sold the laundry building c.1989)
Loheat was still operating in April 1992.
There was a range of timber buildings alongside the high railway embankment. Colin Honeybone sent two photos (July 2020) and remembers some of the usage of the Laundry Yard buildings - Bob Lewington kept his horses there, Cambell had a business of building gliders, there was a Scout hut and Brian Liddiard repaired cars there.
In 1999, the laundry building and all adjacent buildings were demolished, the site cleared, and Somerfield supermarket and car-park was built, later replaced by Tesco Supermarket.
Photo Gallery:
The Laundry brochure. Click the link on the main page to download the full brochure as pdf
The Laundry, 1908. The exterior of the main building, 96 feet long, 70 feet wide
The ironing room
A large team of men and horses was required to collect and deliver laundry around the area
The packing room
Some of the Permanent Staff
Corner of the Washhouse where the Hand Work is done
More of the staff
Tutti Day, 1912. The Tuttimen visit the Laundry. Not surprisingly, the standard of dress here was very high, with all the ladies wearing flowers in their hair. [Albert Parsons]
Tutti Day, 1913. [Albert Parsons]
Tutti Day, 1915. [Albert Parsons]
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Buildings in Laundry Yard before demolition, c1980s (Sent by Colin Honeybone, 2020)
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Buildings in Laundry Yard before demolition, c1980s (Sent by Colin Honeybone, 2020)
- The Laundry brochure. Click here to see .
- The Laundry, 1908. The exterior of the main building, 96 feet long, 70 feet wide.
- The ironing room.
- The packing room.
- Corner of the Washhouse where the Hand Work is done.
- A large team of men and horses was required to collect and deliver laundry around the area.
- Some of the Permanent Staff.
- Tutti Day, 1912. The Tuttimen visit the Laundry. Not surprisingly, the standard of dress here was very high, with all the ladies wearing flowers in their hair. [Albert Parsons].
- Tutti Day, 1913. [Albert Parsons].
- Tutti Day, 1915. [Albert Parsons].
- More of the staff.
- Buildings in Laundry Yard before demolition, c1980s (Sent by Colin Honeybone, 2020).
The Canal Wharf, 2011