Sketchley Dry Cleaners

Sketchleys was originally known as A.E.Hawley and co,It was a dye works and later on became a dry cleaners,They dry cleaned pretty much everything from overalls to floor mats,Alot of which can still be seen in many of the various warehouses.

There is a major conveyor system with laundry bags still hanging and washing on the floor(its quite a weird feeling some parts feel like they just stopped working yesterday).

A big thanx to Goldie87 and MD,Was a good afternoon guys.

I had a pretty bad camera day so not many good snaps(but these are the better ones)













This place is a massive site with loads of good stuff,But it will get trashed fast,as there was a group of shifty looking characters helping themselves whilst we were there.

Any idea of a closing date?

I think it satrted closing in the 90's bit by bit,and the last people left around jan-feb 2009,there was plenty of paperwork left about with dates jan-feb 09.

Good Photos matey, was looking to do this one myself in the next few weeks, looks pretty big on G.earth !

It's well big,I still reckon we missed loads.Theres loads of shady going ons inside so stealth seems to be the way.

Wow -I've certainly learnt something new today -never knew that Sketchley had Industrial sized set-ups (always thought dry-cleaning was done in the shops!)

Nice piccies. Looks like that old walk-in safe was hidden?

Lightbuoy said:

Wow -I've certainly learnt something new today -never knew that Sketchley had Industrial sized set-ups (always thought dry-cleaning was done in the shops!)

Nice piccies. Looks like that old walk-in safe was hidden?

Click to expand...

I read somewhere that Sketchleys used to re-dye clothes at one time.

Lightbuoy said:

Wow -I've certainly learnt something new today -never knew that Sketchley had Industrial sized set-ups (always thought dry-cleaning was done in the shops!)

Click to expand...

When the public took stuff into one of the shops it was usually done there. This place was their headquarters and did cleaning on a massive scale for loads of companies. All the old car plants and lots of other industries had all their uniforms washed and repaired here.

Unfortunately a lot of my photos turned out crap, the ones I have here do not really show how good the place is. Its strange in that so much stuff is left, it just looks like they clocked off one day and never returned.

Excellent shots as always guys. The place has a very strange feel to it as it looks like it was deserted yesterday. Nice one!

Lightbuoy said:

Wow -I've certainly learnt something new today -never knew that Sketchley had Industrial sized set-ups (always thought dry-cleaning was done in the shops!)

Nice piccies. Looks like that old walk-in safe was hidden?

Click to expand...

Thats how we found it,defo strange how it had once been boxed over.(maybe someone lost the keys,would be nice to have peak inside)

But safe cracking isn't my strong point

I love the photo of those gents, all thouse gorgeous green and black tiles. Im in love

myslf, goldie87 and mr sam ventured to sketchley last weekend, fab place and lots to see !