“Demolition of the original site began at the end of January”. Does that sound like a dramatic opening to a story? Here at Clucas Laundry Old Engine Room, Chimneys and Sluices, Tromode, we stand on a site with a rich industrial past.
For over two centuries, business has thrived on the Tromode Estate. Clucas Plc has owned this estate since 1911. Initially, they were the Island’s leading laundry and cleaning company. The core business has evolved significantly over the years.
Today, Clucas Plc operates the Island’s premier business estate and science park. It provides a mix of tenants from high technology and IT, to construction and healthcare.
But let’s rewind to a more specific point in time. Picture the old Clucas Laundry, a bustling hub of activity. The old engine room powered the laundry. Chimneys expelled smoke and steam. Sluices controlled the flow of water essential for the cleaning processes.
The old engine room for the laundry is retained for historical interest. It stands as a testament to the site’s industrial heritage. Imagine the rhythmic hum of the engine. Feel the heat radiating from its core. Visualize workers busily attending to the machinery.
The Strand Group is a facilities management company, secure document management company and contract cleaning brand. In 2015 they constructed their new corporate headquarters on the former site of the old Clucas Laundry. However, the old engine room was saved.
The links between Clucas and Strand go back 26 years. In 2011 Strand Facilities Services took over Krypton Contract Cleaning from Clucas. Some of the staff who worked at the original site returned to Tromode. Around 20 members of the Krypton team had something of a homecoming when they moved into the new building.
Listen. Can you hear the echoes of the past? The Gateway Project is a part of the ongoing development of Tromode Estate. Recent years have seen the area transformed from a traditional industrial estate into a modern development.
As you stand here, consider the evolution of this space. From a laundry to a science park, Tromode Estate continues to adapt. The Clucas Laundry Old Engine Room, Chimneys and Sluices remain a tangible link to its industrious past. They ensure that the memory of what came before is never forgotten. The demolition of the original site has begun, but its memory remains.