Staff Report
Continuing updates on the global car wash industry:
“Car wash cat” reunited with Alberta family
An Alberta feline nicknamed the “car wash cat” has been reunited with her family seven years after she vanished from home.
Sophie returned in time for the holidays, thanks to community volunteers and Good Samaritans who helped her survive a prolonged stay on the streets of Spruce Grove, west of Edmonton.
Community Cats Edmonton helped facilitate the unlikely reunion days before Christmas, after spending months attempting to capture the wily creature. Sophie had taken refuge outside a car wash in Spruce Grove, where she became the ward of local cat-lovers.
For months the cat had been living at the car wash, wedging her large frame into a crevice near the back entrance to keep warm. Read more here.
Proposed Middlesbrough car wash rejected
A proposed car wash in a residential garden has been refused by Middlesbrough (England) Council planning officers, according to Teeside Live, a news website covering the Tees Valley area of England.
In November, an Acklam Road area resident announced plans to build a car wash in his garden, which would include four parking spaces and create six jobs.
Now, council officers have rejected the proposals, following an extended consultation period that saw 97 objections and zero letters of support from public responses. Read more here.
Mobile car wash donated in Zambia
Muvombo Development Initiative, together with the Friends of Hakainde Hichilema, improve people’s livelihood in different communities of Zambia.
Through a partnership with local small and medium enterprises, they recently donated a full set car washing machine to a youth organization of Lusaka.
MDI Directors encouraged the youths who received the car washing machine to utilize the opportunity given to them and grow it. MDI’s vision is to supplement government efforts by empowering people.
Arson does serious damage to South Wales car wash
Vandals drenched a new car wash business in diesel and set fire to it last mouth. The incident happened at Barny’s Hand Car Wash in Hirwaun, which only opened in June.
The owner estimates damage to the business and a car at almost £7,000. South Wales Police initially sent a forensics unit to the site and say the investigation remains open and ongoing.
Drought restrictions limit car washes in Johannesburg
Residents of Johannesburg, South Africa, are bracing for another bout of water throttling that went into effect on Jan. 3.
The city is already on Level 1 restrictions which came into effect on Sept. 1, with a warning that if the measures prove ineffective, the city may need to escalate to Level 2 or Level 3 restrictions. Level 1 restrictions prohibit watering gardens, filling swimming pools, washing cars, and using hosepipes between 6am and 6pm.
Johannesburg is confronting an unprecedented collapse of its water system affecting millions of people. While hot weather has shrunk reservoirs, crumbling infrastructure after decades of neglect is also largely to blame.
Claro Carwash adds new location Netherlands
Claro Carwash recently announced the acquisition of Carwash De Duif, a location near the cities of Arnhem and Duiven in the Netherlands which has been in operation since 2006.
Claro is a group of high-end car washes that are part of the Torqx Capital Partners portfolio. The company currently operates 16 car washes in the Netherlands under the brands Claro Carwash, Wasdas, Matz Carwash, and XXL Muiden, and three car washes in Germany under the Niagara Carwash brand.
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Car wash in Scotland forced to address neighbor concerns: A car wash in Inverurie, a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, which opened without planning permission could remain in operation after the owner is making efforts to appease angry neighbors.
Owner Ilim Tanyelli converted the former builders yard last year into Elims Car Wash & Valet Centre but did so without getting the go-ahead from the Aberdeenshire Council. Nearby residents have voiced complaints about noise and increased traffic at the site.
Tanyelli has proposed several changes and will present them to the Garioch Area Committee for approval.
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Proposal for South Holland hand car wash denied
The South Holland District Council recently rejected a proposal by Spalding Storage Containers to build a hand car wash on an industrial estate in Pinchbeck, a village and civil parish in the South Holland district of Lincolnshire, England.
A report on the proposal cited potential traffic congestion (including stopped cars on the adjacent street), lack of staff parking, waiting space and waiting room for customers.
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Mr. Wash begins “15/30” employee campaign
The German car wash company, Mr. Wash Autoservice AG, began the new year with an enhanced commitment to its employees.
As part of its “15/30” campaign, the hourly wage for all employees increased by one euro with the starting wage now set at 15 euros. In addition, employees will receive five additional days of vacation per year and a paid birthday off – for 30 days’ holiday pay year.
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