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Kyle Toptalo Biography                                          Kyle Toptalo Wiki

Billy Evans Chiswick’s dry cleaning specialists ‘I’ve always believed in combining the old skills with new technology,’ explains Mike Moran, owner of Top Hat dry cleaners. ‘Between four key members of our team we have almost 150 years of industry experience and that expertise really pays dividends. ‘For example, if we need to identify a material we burn a fibre and, depending on the nature and colour of the flame, we’ll know what it is. Also, Billy, the Manager at our Chiswick branch, can usually tell by eye whether a stain will come out. When it comes to technology, I recently bought a microscope that can be linked to a computer or phone; that enables us to see whether a stain is on top of the fibres or deeply ingrained.’ As part of his ‘green’ commitment Mike has gone back to the traditional way of packaging laundry in brown paper rather than plastic and he encourages customers to return hangers and polythene for recycling. ‘It’s rare to have our level of knowledge,’ he says. ‘Whether it’s dry-cleaning, specialist wet-cleaning, alterations or repairs, we will deliver the best result.’

Mike Moran

Mike Moran A family-owned business dedicated to serving the local community Mike Moran was born into the dry cleaning trade. His father, Michael Snr, opened the first Top Hat dry cleaners in Hounslow in 1967 and, working with his wife Pat, he then built a successful chain throughout West London.

Michael Snr and Pat Sadly, in September Michael Snr passed away. So this year, as well as following his festive custom of offering customers mince pies to thank them for their support, Mike will be collecting on behalf of The British Lung Foundation in memory of his father. ‘My mum actually began the tradition of baking mince pies and putting them on the counter,’ says Mike. ‘Now Billy, the Manager of our Chiswick branch in Devonshire Road, kindly takes on all the baking duties.’ Mike took over the business in 1984 and he opened Top Hat in Ravenscourt Park in 2014. ‘The full-service laundry is run by my cousin Steve – he’s been in the trade for 35 years – and Anna and John manage the receiving shop,’ explains Mike. ‘After a flood earlier this year, we’ve replaced our machinery, but having new equipment means that we can process all our laundry in-house even more efficiently.’ As befits a business which has previously been awarded Dry Cleaner of the Year at the leading industry awards, Mike is always looking for new ways to improve his service. Recently, he has made the move away from plastic. ‘I’ve been recycling waste from the cleaning process for 25 years – some dry cleaners bag it and put it in the rubbish – and now we’ve gone back to the “old way” of packaging laundry in brown paper. Also, we’re putting cards on clothing to remind customers that we recycle hangers, pins and duvet bags – a supplier phoned up to ask why we weren’t ordering so many hangers!’ Whether it is dry-cleaning, specialist ‘wet-cleaning’, alterations or repairs, the Top Hat team has the experience to handle every issue. ‘It’s rare to have our level of knowledge,’ says Mike. ‘We can look at anything, be sure what the material is, know how to treat it and deliver the best possible finish.’ Top Hat Dry Cleaners 289 King Street, W6 9NH 020 8741 2581 [email protected] http://www.tophatchiswick.co.uk