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771 High Road, Tottenham. How many launderettes are there in an area? And what does it tell you about the people living there?

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I missed the BBC radio programme Sud-U-Like in August 2010. But found <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-10957093" rel="noreferrer nofollow">The rise and fall of the launderette </a> on the BBC's website. It includes memories of the programme's presenter, Yasmin Khan whose parents owned five launderettes in Huddersfield.

And the view of John Trapp, owner of the UK's largest chain, who says their launderettes have a "polarised customer base". "We have people at both ends of the scale, from newly arrived immigrants with no access to hot water in their properties, to busy working couples who might have a machine at home, but just don't have time and prefer to have a service wash. Then there is the one thing that everyone owns that none of us can wash at home - a duvet. That brings most people to a launderette at least twice a year."

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§ Duvet day n. Brit. colloq. a paid day's leave from work, granted at short notice for rest or recovery from stress.

─ 1996 Financial Times 30 Sept. 12/1 There are days when one's mood is so sour that the only solution seems to be to stay in bed... Staff at Text 100..can take a ‘*duvet day’. Each employee is allowed two days a year when they can play hookey with their employer's blessing. 
─ 2001 Sunday Herald (Glasgow) 21 Jan. (Business section) In an attempt to reduce absenteeism, a few companies have introduced what they call Duvet Daysextra, paid days off, to be taken in the event of a terrible hangover or a bad case of bone idleness.

(Source: Oxford English Dictionary)