Mildenhall Dry Cleaners, in High Street, will shut up shop on May 17 following a year where the business lost about half of its trade due to the military uniforms, worn by thousands of airmen at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath, no longer requiring so much dry cleaning.

Owner John Williams, who has run the business for 30 years, said: "We don't really get any American uniforms in now because they don't need to be specially starched and pressed. The personnel can do it themselves and with the pound being so strong against the dollar, it's cheaper for them to do their cleaning on base."

A spokeswoman for RAF Lakenheath said a new uniform was being phased in, with about a third of the personnel in the area now wearing it.

She added that although the original uniform wasn't dry clean only, it was more high maintenance than the new version.

Increases in rent have also added to financial pressures already caused by the loss of trade, said Mr Williams.

He added that he had been planning to move away from the area and with the shop's lease coming to an end this month, saw the opportunity to put his plans into fruition.

He said: "We have been struggling for about a year and have been downscaling with the view of closing. But I will be sad to say goodbye."

Only one part-time member of staff will lose their job through the closure. Residents will be able to take their dry cleaning to AJ Alterations, also in High Street, who will be using the machines left from Mildenhall Dry Cleaners.

Parish councillor John Barker said: "It will be a very sad day when the dry cleaners close because they have given a tremendous service. Residents don't like to see any shop close."

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