Leading industry figures David Charman, of Parkfoot Garages, and John Ryland, of George Hammond Group, have joined forces to launch a new standalone jet wash centre in Ramsgate.
The new Aquatec Ramsgate branded six-bay jet wash has been open just one week.
It features jet washes from Adriatec as well as facilities including vacuuming, wheel valeting, air for tyres and a customer toilet, with coffee available and a Spar-supplied bespoke convenience store on-site set to open next week.
Customers can pay as they go for use of the jet washes on an app or touch and go with a payment card or device.
Charman commented that the standalone concept is set to be rolled out to further locations in future.
“Both John and I have four-bay car washes, I have one and he has three, which people flock to, so we knew these washes were a successful way forward, as people are moving away from hand car washes. Adriatec’s jet washes are sophisticated, use hot water, and are easy and reliable,” said Charman.
The Ramsgate project has been a long time in the offing, he said, with delays including a two-year process to get planning permission, although the site was not a greenfield. Going forward, the entrepreneurs plan to add electric vehicle charging at the Ramsgate site, and achieve council consent for 24-hour opening.
The jet wash site, which backs onto Manston airport is in a commuter belt area, and is surrounded by around 7,000 new-build houses.