A BUSINESSMAN has apologised after a giant washing machine put outside his shop brought a load of complaints.

Liaqat Ali, who runs the Nisa store in Deardengate, Haslingden, agreed for the ‘Revolution Launderette’ to be placed on his land just yards from the entrance to his store as he hoped it would draw in more customers.

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But despite the £40,000 machine only being dropped off on Wednesday evening more than 370 residents have signed a petition calling for it to be removed.

Mr Ali, who has owned the shop for around four years, said: “I would like to say sorry because I really didn’t mean to annoy or upset anyone.

“The idea was to bring another service to my shop to help the community in another way.

“I’m not making any money from it, the company who made it will get the money. I just wanted to make my shop even better.

“They are popping up across the country and there are a lot in Europe now, so I didn’t want our town to miss out.

“People have used it already and have said it’s great.

“Farmers who want to put a big heavy wash in all at once can do so. We have a lot of farmers around here so it’s convenient for them.

“It’s costing me in water and electric to keep it going. If it isn’t popular or isn’t used enough then it will be removed.”

Business and community leaders described the large outdoor facility, which can provide up to an 18kg wash and dry for £10 as well as smaller washes, as an ‘eyesore’.

Cllr Ann Kenyon, who represents Haslingden on Rossendale Council, said: “I think it’s a bit disrespectful to the other businesses in the area really.

“Can you imagine if its raining and you’re trying to get your washing clean, are you going to sit there and look at your smalls going round and round?

“I have had several complaints about it and have reported it to the council.”

Andrea Britland, owner of The Dearden Tea Rooms, next door to the shop, said: “We have a good rapport with the owner next door but we do believe that it does not tie in with the feel of the road.

“We have spent a lot of time and money decorating the outside of our shop and I am worried that the laundrette will attract people with the wrong attitudes to it at night.

“I’m worried that damage could be caused to our flowers and pottery outside. I don’t want that to happen.”

Mr Ali said he did not need to apply for planning permission because it wasn’t a new build.

Wendy Leake, who owns WN Cleaning Services, based in Pleasant Street, Haslingden just a short distance from the new machines, said: “It is an eyesore.

“I can definitely agree with people that it’s not fitting with the town and it’s just been dumped there.

“I’m not seeing it as a threat to my business as I provide a full cleaning and caring service.

“Can you imagine putting in your babies clothing after someone had put in farming clothes? You don’t know what’s been in there before you.

“I can’t see it catching on to be honest.”

The manufacturer, KIS Wash Laundry Solutions, said the ‘Revolution Launderettes’ are fitted with a multi-touch screen, a modern and user-friendly interface, and features which have been designed to make it easy to use.

The Surrey-based company were unavailable for comment.