East London community launderette hung out to dry by local council

In the summer of 1896 work was completed on a groundbreaking public laundry in London's East End, part of what is thought to be the first social housing estate.

- Diane Taylor

The communal facilities to wash clothes on the estate evolved over the decades but have now been abruptly halted by the local council, which has closed down the community launderette.

Shocked council tenants and others in the area between Shoreditch and Bethnal Green, home to the Boundary Estate, are calling for the Boundary Estate community launderette to be reopened so people can regain access to an affordable service performed by cheerful staff.

Residents say they have been communicating with the council but officials are keen to get the premises back so they can increase the rent sixfold, a level more in common with the designer shops found in trendy Shoreditch.