My first thought when I saw this building in Brixton, London, was that it was surely not still a steam laundry - just a building with a history. But, as it turns out, it only ceased trading at the start of this month after 119 years!
The steam laundry survived two world wars and the invention of the domestic washing machine. In recent times it hired linen out to hotels and B&Bs. At its height, its linen was used on the Orient Express and The Churchill Hotel.
It's sad it's now come to an end, but the frontage is listed and therefore will be preserved. There's talk of turning the building into student accommodation.
What a find! Great to record this piece of architectural history - amazing to think it only closed this year! When I was in the sixth form my father told me that if I didn't decide what I wanted to do career-wise, I might as well leave and work in the laundry! Fav btw.