By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
A hi-tech launderette is set to open in a vacant shop unit after plans were agreed with the council.
Speed Queen will provide a self-service washing facility controlled by a mobile phone app at its new branch in Bramley Shopping Centre.
A former convenience store will be converted after Leeds City Council granted planning permission.
The company said its technology allowed customers to find available machines online and see when washing cycles were finished.
A planning report said: “These systems allow customers to select machines, make cashless payments and monitor wash and dry cycles in real time, with notifications available when cycles are complete.”
The new location was selected as part of expansion plans by Speed Queen, which already has more than 1,000 branches around Europe.
The new launderette would be close to existing retailers, including a Tesco supermarket.
A planning officer’s report said: “The proposal would deliver clear economic and social benefits by re-occupying a vacant unit within a designated town centre.”
Leeds City Council said daily operating hours of 7am-10pm, including on Sundays bank holidays, were proposed.
Sponsored content
Soooooooo, the elderly people of Bramley are going to be aliented yet again from being able to use this facility because it’s ‘app only’ ! It’ll be great no doubt for the tech savvy but the elderly will not (most anyway) will not be able to use it ! I see it as discrimination unless they provide machines that can be used automatically in the shop.