Whether you run a hotel, bed and breakfast, café or inn, hiring linen is a great way to streamline your business. The same goes for even the largest of restaurants, capable of serving over 100 covers at any one time.
If you haven’t already made the switch to hired linen, we’re going to outline the process for you to get you up and running as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
Make an Inventory of Numbers
Before placing a formal order, you will of course need to know how many tables you need to provide linen for. Once you’ve arrived at a number, add an additional percentage uplift which will provide a much needed surplus.
This surplus will be called into action whenever you encounter an unexpected spillage meaning that dirty linen can be swapped out for clean immediately.
Decide on Style and Colour
The colours you choose should reflect your existing colour scheme and decoration. The idea is to provide linen that complements the existing surroundings and vice versa.
It might be worth using this opportunity to mimic the branding your establishment features, maybe by way of a subtle logo or by making using of a prominent band of colour around the edge of each tablecloth or napkin.
Decide on a Delivery and Collection Schedule
Linen hire will usually include the laundering of any dirty items as and when required. You will already have a linen rotation schedule so it would make sense to incorporate that into the terms and conditions of your service contract with your linen provider.
Once a week is usually a good medium but more or less frequent can be arranged depending on the needs of your business.
Onsite Storage
Despite hiring linen rather than buying your own stock, you will of course need to store whatever isn’t currently in use somewhere within your establishment. The size of the room required will depend upon how many tables you have but the location for this storage facility should be decided before placing your order.
Remember the Extras
Linen providers can of course supply you with more than tablecloths. It makes sense to source your napkins from the same provider as they should match the rest of your tableware. In addition, consider hiring the uniforms for your kitchen staff as well.
A simple white set of kitchen overalls can be supplied, or if you need something a little more bespoke, a custom design incorporating a logo or pattern can be arranged.
Find Your Supplier
No matter where you’re based in the country, there is sure to be a linen supplier capable of delivering to you. Stalbridge Linen have a good reputation and deliver nationwide but be sure to shop around and compare the quotations you receive to ensure value for money. You will find that most service contracts are flexible but make sure to read the small print to avoid any surprises or hidden fees.
Hired linen is a great way to reduce the monthly overheads associated with laundering your linen onsite so consider making the change.
