News

Outdoor launderette service being rolled out across the north

A woman checks out the outdoor launderette on the Shaws Road in Belfast. Pic by Mal McCann.
A woman checks out the outdoor launderette on the Shaws Road in Belfast. Pic by Mal McCann. A woman checks out the outdoor launderette on the Shaws Road in Belfast. Pic by Mal McCann.

Irish people know the value of 'great drying weather' and now you can load up a washing machine and tumble dryer in the great outdoors.

Photo-me International has introduced outdoor self-service launderettes to Northern Ireland.

Over 100 machines have been installed across the island, including a handful in the North.

One has popped up recently close to St Pauls GAC and O'Donavon Rossa GAC on Shaws Road in Belfast and other locations include at the Eurospar Supermarket in Armagh Shopping Centre and Drumharvey Service Station in Irvinestown.

The machines, which are part of a project known as Revolution, have been installed in over 1,500 outdoor locations across Europe and are accessible 24/7.

The automated launderette is equipped with 8kg and 18kg washing machines that run on half hour cycles. There is a built-in hypoallergenic washing liquid pump and a vented dryer.

It costs £4 for an 8kgs wash, or £8 for a 18kgs wash and from £1 for drying.

Francois De Freitas from Photo-Me International told the Irish News it looked forward to introducing more machines at a variety of locations in the North.

"This is a convenient service being rolled out in Northern Ireland for either domestic use or local businesses that require professional washing facilities on a regular basis," he added.