Rye Cleaners on Market Road will close its doors for the last time on Friday 28 August. The laundry is shutting because of family circumstances, leaving the town without the friendly and personal service it has enjoyed for decades.
The company was founded by Ken Hadfield in the early 1950s and has been run by the Hadfield family ever since. In its heyday, Rye Cleaners had hundreds of employees with extensive premises on The Strand, but it has also had its share of challenging times.
Towards the end of the 20th century the abrupt termination of large cleaning contracts with Channel Tunnel construction firms caused severe financial difficulties for the company. The shop we know today on Market Road is what emerged from the inevitable downsizing.
In his day, the current owner, Francis Hadfield, was a prominent figure in Rye, serving as a magistrate and participating in many local events and activities.
His son Will, the grandson of the founder, said, “I’m devastated. Friday will be a very sad day for my family, the staff, and also for Rye. We feel a lot of love for the town, and the town returns it in full measure.”
Image Credits: Phil McNicol , Rye Cleaners .
Warm thanks to the staff – now soon to be redundant? We shall miss the service given for laundry and dry cleaning, neither of which it seems are going to be available in Rye in future. This is a blow for the town as a place to live in, meeting everyday requirements, beyond the cafes and shops which hopefully thrive by serving the town’s many visitors.
John, Rye Shoe Repairs at 4 Market Road are now offering dry cleaning services.
Thank you Tony. I had heard that Rye Shoe Repairs would be taking in orders, which is good to know, albeit at prices higher than hitherto charged by Rye Cleaners.
I dont understand as if its a viable business surely someone else will take it over especially as there is no other dry cleaners in the town
My understanding is that the building has been sold as empty premises, so the new owner does not wish to continue the current business.
A very sad end of an era. Sending best wishes to Francis and all the family.
Very sad day , when i moved to Rye in 1990s I got a job along at the Laundry in Winchelsea Road , that is where I met Liz Bull ( sadly no longer with us ) lovely lady , we became friends then her daughter Maria started working there & we became friends & we are still friends now , i left in June 1993 to have our eldest daughter , then in 1996 had our 2nd daughter when they started school I was lucky enough to get a job at the Dry Cleaners , until I had trouble with my health & I left for good in 2012 , met some nice people there , very sad it has gone now , best wishes to Francis & family , you were good to me , all the best from John & me x
As a family we are all so sad to see our shop close after so many years. Thank you to all the wonderful people who worked there, and also at the laundry in Winchelsea Road. They were all happy days.