Absolutely, whatever floats your boat. Number of laundrettes has dropped a lot though, even with the Wash-Me machines... 😉 AI Overview There are around 2,000 to 2,500 traditional high-street launderettes left in the UK, though automated outdoor and forecourt units (such as Wash.ME) have grown to over 1,000 locations. thelaundryrevolution.co.uk +2 How the Numbers Have Changed Over Time Origins (1949): Britain’s first self-service coin-operated launderette opened in Bayswater, London in May 1949. Find a Launderette +1 The Peak (Early–Mid 1980s): The number of traditional launderettes peaked at roughly 12,500 nationwide, serving as vital high-street hubs as domestic washing machines became more common in smaller urban homes. BBC +2 The Sharp Decline (1990s–2010s): Widespread and affordable home washing machine ownership, rising high-street rents, high equipment repair and energy costs, and planning rules allowing shop conversions caused numbers to plummet to about 3,000 by 2010–2012. The Guardian +5 Recent Years (2020s): High energy prices, COVID-19 impacts, and modern student housing developments pushed traditional indoor launderette numbers down further to around 2,000. Meanwhile, 24/7 self-service outdoor units placed at supermarkets and petrol stations have expanded as a modern alternative. The Times +2
