The first of a series of unmanned Washpod valeting hubs went live on Saturday in Grantham, four months after the company’s founder signed a 15-year lease for the site, and following nearly £400,000 of investment.
Speaking to Forecourt Trader on Monday morning, director Brendan Roper said that more than 100 customers had already used the power jet washes, which feature snow foam, hot wax and osmosis, spot free water rinsing cycles.
He says that the hot weather, which delayed tarmac being laid on the site, had been a factor in the opening being delayed a week. But the latest heatwave had also helped the business, with a hose pipe ban being introduced in the area a week before.
As well as the four wash bays, with equipment supplied by BKF CarWash, there are two air, vacuum and screenwash towers, and a Spinbox washer/drier from Electrajet.
In a couple of weeks, the site on South Parade, near to a 24-hour McDonald’s, as well as a Dunhelm store, will have an outdoor vending machine. It will sell car accessories and valeting products, as well as some soft drinks.
Roper, who has his sights on operating five Washpod centres within an hour of the original Lincolnshire site, says that he also has some other plans for the Grantham location. This might include extending daily opening from 6am to 11pm, to 24-hours.
The former derelict site is on a mini industrial area, on a main route to Grantham, and has trees and fencing screening the operation from nearby housing. It has already been given permission for unrestricted opening hours, says Roper, who is pleased with locals’ initial reaction.
“We’ve been blown away by the incredible response. On the day before we opened we had 50,000 ‘views’ on Facebook,” says Roper. “It is a work in progress, and more associated things are coming at Grantham,” he adds.
“In three weeks, we will have an official open day, giving away car washes to generate lots of interest.”
