The Launderette has to my knowledge been in this location for well over 40 years and so must be one of the oldest businesses in the town centre.

I moved to Forest Hill in 1968 and was a regular user for many years. I think it used to cost 2/6d for a wash and 6d for the dryer in those days. I remember after decimalisation they changed the dryers to use 2p pieces and lots of the regulars realised that a 2p was the same size as the old halfpenny and had a lot of cheap drys (until we ran out of halfpennies).

There were, I think 3 or 4 Launderettes in those days. There was one in the row of shops between Sainsburys and Waldenshaw road which had coin operated Dry Cleaning machines. You could do several pairs of trousers and a couple of jackets for £1. There were a couple of others along Dartmouth Road.

I think its a bit sad that some people think that its an eyesore. At least as Roz says it provides a needed service, and its better being an 'eyesore' than yet another Estate Agent or Coffee shop that opens and closes within a few months.