A Lincolnshire forecourt operator has increased footfall to their store by introducing an 24-hour laundry service.

Hockmeyer Motors is a family owned business run by Rachael and her husband Christian. They operate a Spar convenience store with Texaco petrol forecourt in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

In April this year they introduced a new outdoor laundry service to their site after the idea was suggested on a visit from the Spar distributor Blakemore Trade Partners.

Customers can choose an £8 wash, a £4 wash or a £1 dry from the self-service Revolution laundry unit, which is available 24 hours a day.

Rachael commented, “We introduced the new laundry service because we thought it was something unique which would get people talking and provide a point of difference for our store.

“We first heard about the idea when we received a visit from Blakemore Trade Partners head of marketing Sarah Ellis, who presented us with a brochure on the laundry unit.

“Our business development manager was very keen for us to get the unit set up and supported and advised us throughout the process.

“It’s definitely helped us to attract new customers. Some come into the Spar for a Costa coffee while waiting for their washing, and others use the car jet wash.”

Photo Me International, which installed the Revolution laundry unit, maintains it so that Hockmeyer Motors pays only for the water and electricity. The company pays the store a percentage each time someone uses the service.

The new laundry service is one of several new initiatives introduced to the Spar site in the past few months. Within the store Rachael has recently installed a slush machine, which she said had seen exceptional growth, and a Kepak microwave for her Rustlers Food To Go range, which enables customers to heat up their food in-store. She said a new Blakemore Fine Foods range featuring speciality and local products had also proved popular.