Laundrette

The first UK launderette was opened on 9 May 1949 in Queensway (London). Some may be manned during fewer hours than the operating time each week. They are generally found only in urban and suburban areas and have been common features of urban life since the 1960s. In the last two decades there has been a decline in the number of launderettes, to approximately 3000 nationally. However, most UK households have bedding (such as duvets and comforters) which are far above the capacity of domestic machines, making launderettes the only means available for cleaning them. Many of the manned operations in the UK have added value services such as ironing, dry cleaning and service washes, which prove popular to busy professionals, students, and senior citizens. Cities such as London, Birmingham and Manchester have significant numbers of launderettes, as do many coastal tourist areas. Whilst the future of launderettes in the UK is not assured, domestic machine users experiencing breakdowns in the home, users of large bedding, and tourists are all potential customers, thereby making the provision valuable to the community.


The launderette commercial, promoting Levi’s classic 501s.