This is an original enamel sign from the Leamington Spa Steam Laundry.

Look at the colors, the lettering, the old telephone number and it’s in amazing condition for something that’s over a century old.

Along with It’s a bright, eye-catching red design and the bold lettering of ‘Steam Laundry’ in the center. 

Notice how it also mentions ‘Family Work’ and ‘Country Washes collected & delivered.

This laundry service wasn’t just for locals, they also served customers in the countryside, offering collection and delivery, a rare convenience at the time.

Founded in the late 1800s, this business provided vital laundry services to families, hotels, and other businesses in the region. 

With steam power revolutionizing the industry, laundries like this one made laundry faster and more efficient—a huge relief for households who had limited options for washing clothes at the time.

In its prime, leamington spa steam laundry employed about 120 people, making it one of the significant local employers and it wasn’t just a place to get clothes washed, it was a lifeline for many families in the area who relied on it for steady employment. 

Back in 1906, the Leamington Spa Steam Laundry made local headlines 

by winning second prize in the prestigious Corporation Cart Horse Parade on May 5th. 

This wasn’t just an award; it was a mark of pride, recognizing the laundry's hardworking delivery horses and the care they took in serving the community.

Another fascinating fact we found was a notice published in the Royal Leamington Spa Courier in October 1914. At the time, rumors had started that the laundry might shut down due to the economic challenges of World War I. But the company put out a statement saying there was ‘NO TRUTH WHATSOEVER’ to the rumor. 

They reassured the public that they were ‘working full time’ and had made ‘NO REDUCTION IN WAGES.’ 

They were determined to keep all 120 employees working through the war."

Imagine the significance of this announcement in 1914. World War I disrupted industries across the country, and many businesses were forced to reduce wages or let employees go. But the Leamington Spa Steam Laundry held firm, asking the community for continued support to keep people employed. 

Like many historical businesses, the Leamington Spa Steam Laundry eventually closed its doors, likely due to changing technologies and the rise of modern laundromats in the mid-20th century. 

Enamel signs like this are some of the few reminders left and are small windows into the lives of everyday people who lived, worked, and supported each other through challenging times and this particular sign is especially rare. It’s the only known Leamington Spa Steam Laundry enamel sign of this size ever found. 

The only other sign known to exist which is only half its size sold at auction for an incredible 1, 500 pounds,  making this paricular sign an incredibly unique and rare piece of history.