AN ALLOA business which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary in the town has been dealt a cruel blow after being told it will lose one of its biggest contracts.

Riverbank Laundry, which can be found on Castle Street, was founded by David and Elizabeth Lindsay but have since passed the business to their sons, Alan and Denis.

As told in last week's Advertiser, the laundrette gives great service to many local organisations such as Alloa Athletic, Alloa Rugby Club and the Central Scotland police services.

However, David has now revealed that Police Scotland has decided to centralise their cleaning facilities meaning Riverbank Laundry will now lose 25 per cent of its custom.

The news is a huge body blow for family business and David will now have to find a lot of new clientele to replace the workload the police service accounted for.

David said: "The Scottish Police Authority have consistently said all small businesses would be considered and could possibly sub-contract from the number one contractor.

"I met with the contractor and was told no sub-contract was available. I then met with Keith Brown MSP, who told me he could not get involved because he is a minister.

"Does this mean ministers' constituents receive lesser representation than ordinary MSP's constituents?"

Riverbank's contract with the police will end on March 31 at which point the new centralised contractor will take over all cleaning of police laundry, leaving David and his family having to resort to other measures.

He said: "I don't know how we'll cover it. I'm going to have to go round and start chapping doors to try and get new business."

David did however want to reassure his current clients that it will be business as usual and appealed for any potential new customers to get in touch or visit the store to receive a warm welcome and excellent service.

In response to David's issue, head of commercial services for Police Scotland Colette Sherry said: "Sodexo has been appointed as a new supplier for a number of facilities management services across the Police Scotland estate.

"The new contract will bring efficiencies in costs and administration for the service and provide consistent and cost effective services nationwide."