Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request Tranmere laundry Dial Road

Now on my third history forum topic post so hoping for a hatrick of success.

Looking for info on Tranmere laundry which was off Dial Road Tranmere.
I know most if not all of the building is still there and some of it is used as a carpet/bed warehouse but wondering if there are any pictures of the building when it was a laundry.
I'm hoping to get a look in the buildings that are still there maybe after the Xmas period and get some photos then.
In the meantime any addition info would be appreciated.

thanks

The laundry was number 1 Dial rd, the proprietor from at least 1906-1924 was James Pryde, noticing his address, is he a link you would like more info on.

hi

yah that would be good, I have found and entry in the National archives on the web which i guess is the entry you have found detailing them having branches in moreton and Ellesmere port - just found it this morning.
not sure if thats the item you have found too.

Particularly interested in any older photographs inside or out but hope to get some of it in its current state in the coming weeks.

Can't help with photo's, I haven't been on NA, so I'm guessing the laundry business expanded a bit, James Pryde died in 1924, so was it his children that carried it on. In 1891/92 his laundry business was at 61 Church Rd, opposite St Catherine's who's number is 56. I have found probate for him and his son, James Albert so far, I'll put them up if you would like sight of them.

Laundry established c.1890. On 9 June 1927 became Tranmere Laundry Ltd. based in Dial Road, then expanded 1931 to Moreton and Ellesmere Port.
I think I probably have what I need on for this now, knowing who started it and where it was. Next is to see what pictures might be available.
I can remember as a child, as my mum worked in there, walking down the entry on the way to school and peering through the metal grating on the windows to see her and vividly remember feeling the heat pouring out of the window and the acrid smell.

I was a driver for them for about a year or so in 1969. At the time they were owned by the Virginia Steam laundry of Field road, New Brighton. A lot of the staff were from Neston as Tranmere took over the Neston laundry and took on some of the staff. Used to drive them home on occasion in the staff bus.

A history in itself in a way because they did all the work for Lairds, British Leather, Tranmere Rovers etc.

No photo's sadly.

Slightly off topic but does anyone remember the U.C.L.A. laundry vans? My mother told me the letters stood for uncle charlie's loony asylum,which seemed perfectly feasible to me at that age.

My brother in law drove for them. I used to go on his rounds with him, usually in Wales.

United Cooperative Laundries (Association?). Not sure about the A to be honest!

He must have had a clean licence

You are quite right Helles. It was United Cooperative Laundries Association. Known as Uncle Charlie's Lunatic Asylum to us kids back then !!