AN AWARD-WINNING family business in Ardrossan has been saved from what looked like inevitable closure...but its owner says she's still fearful for its future prospects.

Dora Kane from Sylvia's Soapy Suds says she's managed to find an insurer to cover the business for the next 12 months.

But Dora says she remains concerned at what might happen when those 12 months of cover run out.

Dora explained how she'd received a letter in March from the Glasgow Street firm's current insurers, who have covered the firm for nearly a decade, saying they would no longer be able to offer their service to the business.

She said the business experienced a small fire last year, but that the incident was not expected to be an issue with the insurance renewal since the business itself was not at fault.

Dora explained: “I phoned up again, and that is when I started to get ‘no, we cannot insure you’ from everywhere.

“As soon as I told them we were a laundrette, they would say they would get back to me, and I would just end up with a 'nope'.

“One of the companies told me that they are pulling away from laundrettes because they deem them as too high risk now.

“Nothing has changed, and I don’t get why."

Dora said the lack of insurance cover left her with no choice but to warn customers and staff that closure of the business, which was started by her mum Sylvia, might be the only option.

In an emotional announcement on social media, she said: "I am absolutely devastated that I am having to post this, however it is with great sadness that, due to circumstances out with our control, as of Friday May 10, 2024 the shop can no longer trade.

"After 12 years, a small family run business, we are all heartbroken. However insurance companies are now refusing to stand behind laundrettes, which in turns means I cannot run the business.

"I will be hoping for a miracle between now and then."

Thankfully for Dora, that miracle came with on insurance broker contacting her to find out more about the business.

She explained: “He was one of the only people to actually ask me what we had in place to reduce risks.

“Just because that one guy took the time, he managed to get someone to come on board with us.

“It’s just such a shame that companies are refusing when there is such a high demand for this service.

“There are people in their homes that can’t get their washing done, or that can’t afford the gas or electric, and use us because we are cheaper than running up their bills."

The industry was also deemed 'essential' throughout the Covid pandemic.

Dora explained: “If we were to close during Covid we would have got nothing, so we had to work with what we had.

“Then all of a sudden, for all of these insurers to say they weren’t doing laundrettes any more is a bit of a kick in the teeth."

While she is still "in disbelief" that her prayers were answered, Dora now has fears for the long-term future.

“These past few weeks have been horrible," she said.

“I had to tell the staff and I just burst out crying. It’s not just mine or my mum’s livelihood, it’s them as well.

“As far as I know, it [the insurance] is just a yearly thing. I know the staff are over the moon that they’ve got their job, but in the back of my mind I’m thinking of what will happen this time next year.”

The Association of British Insurers says laundrettes and dry cleaners can be viewed as high risk because of the danger of fire through misuse of tumble dryers and the chance of personal injury claims from wet or slippery floors.

It advises that laundrettes carry out regular checks on machines, keep electrical inspections up to date, install and maintain automatic fire alarm systems, and fireproof the building where possible.

A spokesperson said: "We are aware that there has been some market movement in this sector, but insurance is available.

"We would always recommend that these businesses speak to their insurer or a broker to understand what options are available to them."