Why photographers are documenting life at Bradford's laundrettes

Set up by furloughed coffee shop worker Matthew Crowther, the ‘coinop_laundry’ social media project takes people on a journey across the district, including Manningham, Wyke, Little Horton and Heckmondwike.

For centuries everyday life and things that might be deemed somewhat mundane have attracted artists of all kinds and these so-called ‘laundromats’ are no exception.

Saltaire Launderette by Ruxx Naqvi

Explaining his fascination with laundrettes, Matthew told the Telegraph & Argus: “It's just something I find really interesting. I thought it would be nice to do something for all the laundrettes in the community.

"It's a declining industry. It's a nice thing to do to document these places while they're still around.

"I moved into Wyke back end of last year, I've used a laundrette four or five times since I've moved. When I've gone in we've had a bit of a chat, there's regular people you see. I suppose really a laundrette, it's a bit like a pub. It's like a community space, a community hub but a bit like pubs they're also under threat and getting less and less.

"There's a sense of nostalgia behind a laundrette as well. It's something that is declining. It's something that a lot of people don't really use any more. They've got that vintage, retro vibe about them. It's also nice to see a really old school laundrette that's been there 60 years."

And while the account only has a small following at the moment, it has caught the attention of fellow laundrette lovers across the country with Londoners and Lancastrians also taking part.

Six Lane Ends Launderette at Heckmondwike taken by Stan Stephenson

Matthew was inspired by photographer Joshua Blackburn who photographed every remaining launderette in London - more than 400 - in 2019.

What started out as an online blog soon became a book which is now on many coffee tables across the country.

In the synopsis of his book, this photographer describes laundrettes as “an endangered species”.

Bradford-based photographers Ruxx Naqvi and Stan Stephenson have started to regularly document laundrettes as part of their own street photography.

Focusing on faded baskets, 70s street signs, blue tiled floors and the owners who have been part of their community for many years, it appears that these laundrettes are like their own little world.

Wyke Wash and Dry by Matthew Crowther

Matthew, who is a regular user of Wyke Wash N Dry, hopes their documentation will inspire more people to support their local laundrette.

He said: "I just think people really enjoy the more nostalgic side to the laundrette. There is still a place for laundrettes."