Dorset Dry Cleaners on the Sherlock Case

What do super-sleuths Sherlock Holmes and Poirot have in common? 

They use the services of Barker Group, the Dorset dry cleaning and laundry company.

The business, which has seven branches stretching from Bournemouth to Andover provided 150 starched collars for the latest Sherlock Holmes film starring Jude Law, says owner Matthew Barker, who has also supplied all the collars for the Poirot television series. 

To read more on this article by Tim Saunders please visit the Dorset Business Website here

Background of the Detachable Collar

Detachable collars originated in the 19th Century and were either detachable or disposal. Cloth collars were made of either linen, cotton or celluloid which was an early synthetic material, with disposable collars consisting of paper or card.

The principle behind using a detachable collar was that a separate laundry finish could be applied to the collar i.e. starching, leaving the rest of a shirt ironed only. Several benefits of using detachable collars emerged immediately, it was more economical to launder a collar only, potentially getting several days wear from a shirt, so cutting down on laundry costs and time. Since washing a shirt was a lenghty process involving scrubbing by hand and often boiling, the process of laundering detachable collars saved time and cost. Also replacing a collar was far cheaper than the whole shirt.

Depending on the fashion, it was possible to achieve a higher or lower collar height, vary the colour, although white collars were the most popular. Detachable collars are still used today, predominantly within the legal profession and gentry. As the leading launderer of detachable collars in the UK, we strive to offer the same laundering techniques ensuring our collars are still as popular as in the past.

Visit here to see our Detachable Collar Laundry Service

Barker's Stiff Collar Service for Detachable Collars

Who Uses Our Collar Laundering Service?

Most of our shirt collars are produced for retail markets in the UK, Europe and South Africa, but we also launder and restarch collars for Royalty, the Judiciary, The Armed Forces and the General Public throughout the UK and the rest of the world.

We provided the collars for the Sherlock Holmes movie....Our collars can also be seen on stage, screen and television. "Passage to India", "Titanic" and "Shacklet" are just a few of the period productions that have used Barker Collars. We have also supplied 1000 collars for the Inspector Poirot TV series. Well known Theatre and Production Companies are amongst our clients including: The Almeida Theatre, New Shakespeare Company, Bill Kenwright Productions and the Scottish National Opera.
Barker Group Detachable Collars
Although fashions and style change over the years, we at Barker Group in Dorset, have always realised the value of tradition and quality.We actively take part in the manufacture of over 90% of the world production of new detachable stiff collars. It is estimated that the world market is somewhere in the region of 65,000 - 80,000 new collars sold every year.

We launder in excess of 60,000 detachable stiff collars every year and the numbers are continuing to grow. By ensuring that antique equipment is maintained, and that the craftsmen's skills are passed on, Barker Collars has become the largest launderer of detachable stiff collars in the world.

What Types of Collar Do We Launder and Restarch?

We launder and restarch all types of collars, including Turndown Collars, Wing Collars and Straight (Imperial) Collars. Please note that in addition to providing this exceptional service, we also clean and starch dress shirts and Marcella waistcoats, as well as white ties and barristers tabs.

How Do I Get My Stiff Collars Laundered Cleaned?

Five generations of craftsmans knowledge is used to return client's stiff collars to pristine condition. Our despatch department then ensures that the cleaned stiff collars are returned to their owners as quickly as possible.

Local Residents in the Poole/Bournemouth/Andover/Sherborne areas can contact any of our Barker Dry Cleaning Branches. Click here for details of your nearest branch.

Worldwide (and UK wide) by Post - from Australia to Austria, Boston to Bombay, all over the world, our parcels of stiff collars are on route to their owners. Processing from receipt to return posting takes approximately a week.