Where We Work and Why It Matters
Seaside Linen Works grew from a small room above a Brighton shopfront on Bond Street, a quiet lane that still echoes with the hum of early washers. The idea was simple: focus on bed linen only, remove the rush, and keep a steady routine that fits both homes and small stays by the sea. The city has its own tempo — waves, tourists, train whistles — and we fit in between them with a schedule that follows real life rather than industrial speed.
The laundry started with three machines and a folding bench made from repurposed wood. Each load was logged by hand, sorted by fabric type and finish, and pressed on a single flat iron board that still sits in the corner today. We kept the space small to stay within reach of the details — labels, creases, the scent of cotton after drying in salt air.
Our Approach to Care
We believe that linen care works best when it is personal and calm. Each set arrives with its own story — a spare guest room, a seaside flat, a weekend let. Instead of running batches by weight, we group items by feel and thread content. Cotton mixes are washed on a low, even temperature with gentle turns. Linen sheets go into separate drums to avoid stiff edges or curling. Pressing is done by hand for most pieces; some use a flat press for the final smooth.
Brighton’s moist coastal air often means drying takes longer. We use well-ventilated indoor racks and time our low-heat cycles to match the day’s weather. There’s no rush to finish a batch by a clock — our goal is to return linen that feels rested, not over-handled. The result is quiet freshness that lasts longer between changes.
The Team Behind the Routine
Maeve handles intake and sorting, checking labels and noting any special requests. Arjun runs the pickup routes through the Lanes and along Queens Road, using a small electric van to collect bags marked with room tags. Elena manages the press bench, balancing steam pressure and fold width so each set stacks cleanly. Tomos keeps client notes, updating our simple digital ledger that tracks loads and return windows.
We don’t have corporate titles or hierarchies — each person steps in where needed. Sometimes Maeve joins the delivery run; sometimes Elena answers enquiries. This rotation keeps everyone close to the work and helps each of us understand the whole process from pickup to fold.
Local Ties and Sustainability
Our supplies come from nearby distributors in Sussex and Kent, with eco-certified detergents that rinse clean in soft water. Packaging for returns is minimal: paper wrap or cloth tie instead of plastic film. We wash at lower temperatures where possible and maintain equipment to extend its lifespan. Energy use is tracked weekly, and we adjust the schedule to off-peak hours to reduce grid load.
Clients often find us through word of mouth. Small guesthouses near the pier, short-term lets around North Laine, and families who just need a hand with extra sheets after visitors. We keep communication plain — no automated replies or template texts, just real answers within working hours.
Looking Ahead
We plan to extend routes to Hove and Shoreham while keeping the same steady pace. There are ideas for a linen library — a small pool of extra sets for emergencies — and for evening drop-boxes so clients can leave bags after hours. We’re slow by choice: care is more about sequence than speed.
If you’re in Brighton and need regular bed-linen service without the noise of big-chain laundries, you’ll find us at 16 Bond Street. Our door is plain and unhurried — just like the work we do.