Dirty tricks of the uniform cleaners

TWO laundry firms have been fined over a secret deal to divide the UK market between them.

Under their agreement, Micronclean would serve customers north of a line drawn between London and Anglesey, while Berendsen Cleanroom Services sought clients to the south of it.

Both companies provided a specialist service to clean clothes for people who work in sanitised environments, such as medical equipment makers and the NHS.

According to officials from the Competition and Markets Authority, who uncovered the arrangement, the firms also agreed not to compete for certain customers, which meant they could not shop around for a better deal.

The Competition and Markets Authority fined Micronclean £510,118. Berendsen, which has just been taken over by French firm Elis, has been fined £1.2m.

Micronclean said it was deeply disappointed with the findings, which it rejected, and said it was considering an appeal.