Portland Road, South Norwood: disused launderette

Image: © Christopher Hilton Taken: 3 Jun 2005

Portland Road is not an affluent area by a long way, and that seems to have meant that a lot of the shops in it were never subjected to expensive, trendy makeovers. Launderettes, as a type, seem particularly prone to lasting in their original form, presumably because if you have no washing machine you need to get your clothes washed somewhere whatever, and aren't swayed into impulse visits by trendy marketing. This establishment at 236 Portland Road lasted into the 21st century, but had bitten the dust when this photo was taken in 2005 and became a health food shop shortly after.

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