LAUNDRY and dry cleaning group Barker has resumed the operation of two of its major divisions - Barker Collars and Barker Workwear - within temporary premises at Basepoint business centre, Hurn.

The move signals the complete reinstatement of Barker's four major services after fire gutted its Winton headquarters on September 20.

Barker Group managing director Matthew Barker said: "The Basepoint unit is providing a temporary facility for all of our local operations, and we are delighted at the speed with which Basepoint has been able to accommodate our needs at this critical time.

"The Barker Group Laundry and Dry Cleaning operations were reinstated almost immediately after the fire, and now with the rest of the business back up and running, the company is looking ahead to a promising future."

Barker Collars and Workwear divisions are key elements of the group's core business.

Barker Collars is the world's largest launderer of detachable stiff collars. It manufactures at least 80 per cent of the world's new detachable stiff collars.

"Our clients include royalty, the judiciary, military and naval services, private schools, colleges and members of the general public in the UK and around the world. We launder in excess of 60,000 detachable stiff collars every year and the numbers are continuing to grow," said Mr Barker.