JOHNSON Cleaners on Fore Hill in Ely is re-launching this Friday as an official GreenEarth store. It follows a �35,000 re-fit, which is part of a national �6 million programme to convert 150 stores by 2012. The store will re-launch as a specialist GreenEa

JOHNSON Cleaners on Fore Hill in Ely is re-launching this Friday as an official GreenEarth store. It follows a �35,000 re-fit, which is part of a national �6 million programme to convert 150 stores by 2012.

The store will re-launch as a specialist GreenEarth branch, offering an eco-friendly, US-patented cleaning system for the first time. The new technology is available for the same price as traditional dry cleaning but is said to be kinder to clothes and skin.

Johnson Cleaners is the master licensor for GreenEarth technology in the UK, which uses gentle liquid silicone cleaning solvents that come from naturally occurring sand. It gives fabric a softer feel and has no tell-tale dry cleaning smell.

In a clear sign that the business is bucking the recession, the city centre store, located next to the cathedral, has been chosen for the strength of its performance in the last 12 months and the commitment of its in-store team.

Branch manager, Susan Thulbourne, has worked with the company for 22 years and oversees five staff in store, including an expert tailoress. Commenting on her store's selection for the new investment, Susan said:

"It's fantastic that we've been chosen to be an official GreenEarth store. A lot of hard work has gone into refurbishing the branch and all our staff have received additional training on the benefits of using greener cleaning technology.

"We'll be unveiling our new GreenEarth store front on Friday lunchtime and it will be a great boost for us all. It reflects really well on all the hard work the team put in, on a daily basis."

The new initiative follows a successful recycling campaign which encouraged people to return their Johnson Cleaners coat hangers and resulted in a 14 per cent nationwide reduction in new hanger orders in just six months.

Paul Ogle, managing director of Johnson Cleaners, said: "The re-launch of our Ely city centre store is part of a nationwide programme of transformation and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investing in the future of the business.

"Our customers are demanding more environmentally-friendly products and services and, as the market leader and the largest cleaning company in the UK, we take our responsibilities seriously - to our staff, customers and the environment where we live and work."

Pic cap: Johnson Cleaners staff celebrate the re-launch of the new GreenEarth store in Ely this Friday. Pictured from left to right: Christine Handley, Jackie Smith and Michelle Baines.

Photo: SUPPLIED.