A number of village stores include traditional and ethnic takeaways, a launderette, a grocery, a newsagent, a pet shop, a garage selling off-road vehicles and a veterinary surgery.
The company provides laundry equipment for applications including homes, apartment houses, hotels, health care institutions, industrial laundry operations and coin-operated launderettes.
Health care improved substantially, street lighting was installed, new drains and municipal launderettes were built, and 8,000 children received subsidised school meals.
The building's two ground floor businesses - a delicatessen and a chemist (later to become a winebar) - along with a nearby launderette, provided venues for the various characters to meet.
