London in the 1980s. Omar is a clean-limbed young Pakistani with budding entrepreneurial instincts. He is encouraged by his ebullient uncle Nasser to take an interest in opening a laundrette. Omar’s scholarly, left-wing papa disapproves, but Omar pitches in, even hiring an old schoolyard adversary - the charming hooligan Johnny - to help him out. Together they make a success, as well as a sexual relationship. But Omar quickly comes to realise the constrictions of the ties that bind, and the consequences of biting the hand that feeds.