Top Hat Cleaners - Our History
Having recently opened a second shop in Hammersmith, Top Hat has a long history in West London as a family-run business who aim to offer a friendly, welcoming face, deliver top-quality dry cleaning every time, and contribute to our local communities.
Top Hat was founded in 1967 when Mike (Snr) and Pat Moran opened their first shop in Kingsley Road, Hounslow. Mike had started in dry cleaning while still at school, starting at ‘Welcome Laundry’ in Isleworth and moving on to ‘Reliable Cleaners’ in Feltham.
By the time he left school, Mike was already an old hand at dry cleaning and was soon ready to open his own business. Mike was joined by his wife Pat as they built the business together and although it meant long hours and hard work, they were committed to establishing the Top Hat name as the best in the industry.
Lease issues led Mike to look for new premises, and when Dennis and Pat, owners of Beacon Dry Cleaners on Devonshire Road, decided to move on, a deal was quickly agreed.
Our first shop, Top Hat Hounslow, in 1967
Top Hat in Chiswick, June 1968
Lease issues led Mike to look for new premises, and when Dennis and Pat, owners of Beacon Dry Cleaners on Devonshire Road, decided to move on, a deal was quickly agreed.
Refurbishment took place in Summer 2007 with the shop-front and equipment upgraded and, most importantly, an Auto Valet 24-hour collection system being installed. By October the refit was completed, the new shop was fully operational and Mike Moran ready for business again.
A year later, Top Hat Chiswick was launched on the High Road opposite Turnham Green and other shops were added: in Isleworth, Crystal Palace and Hounslow, with eight Top Hat shops in total across the late '60's and early '70's.
During this time other family members joined the Top Hat team to ensure that the commitment to service was always maintained. Sons Paul and Mike both did the dry cleaning apprenticeship, with Mike eventually taking over the operation from Mum and Dad in 1984.
Top Hat in Devonshire Road, Chiswick, in 2007
Our newest shop in King Street, Hammersmith
Since then Mike has continued to provide the combination of quality cleaning and first-class service that had seen Top Hat endure and succeed while competitors came and went over the years.
In 2009 Billy Evans joined the business as Manager and brought with him 30 years of experience to add to the Top Hat team. His level of skill, knowledge and experience are rare in the modern drycleaning industry and his expertise adds greatly to Top Hat's quality assurance.
In 2014, Top Hat openened a new branch at 289 King Street. The Laundry operation was brought in-house, with a complete new laundry consisting of the latest and best equipment installed in the basement.
We can also offer Dry Cleaning Business Advice for anyone looking to start or improve their own business
Renovations at Hammersmith - an old machine coming out, and our new Laundry Machine being lowered through a hole in the floor by crane!