This is heard repeatedly from USA. Is it really so bad over there? The little, "super-convenient", one-hour processing machines which keep disappearing were low-quality with minimally-trained staff and sold on the basis of convenience. They are gone, so never mind - use centralised, efficient, professionally-monitored labs and wait three days. This works over here (Europe). Just about all towns have supermarkets or department stores which are on a collection-route for one of the big labs. If that doesn't seem convenient, just use the post with their pre-paid mailer arrangements.
Remember also that 'new' film photographers won't miss a slightly-crappy, one-hour service because the three day plan is all they have ever known. It is not an increase in difficulty for them - except compared to digital perhaps, but even then most laser-exposed RA4 enlargements, from amateur enthusiast outlets, still take a few days to arrive back with the digital photographer so there is effectively not much difference.
It is difficult to say how long Kodak-Alaris may be able to source filmstock for marketing to endusers, but I hope that the pensioners funds are enough to keep paying them their pensions. Even a last load of frozen unslit-rolls, made when the cine-film ends (next year?) would keep everyone going for seven years or so, if confectioning systems were available (for example via Harman).
