Lens Coffee Bar

Atarah · 03-02-2010, 22:05

Arrgh, who remembers this? It was of course on Church Street.

Wynonie Harris · 03-02-2010, 22:55

That's strange...don't remember it at all, and it looks like just the sort of place I would have spent a lot of time idling around in back in the 60's!

Retlaw · 03-02-2010, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

That's strange...don't remember it at all, and it looks like just the sort of place I would have spent a lot of time idling around in back in the 60's!

That picture is a lot older than the 1960's.
I don't remember ever seeing it.
I do remember a Lens cooked meats in the market hall.
Retlaw.

Alan Gilmartin · 04-02-2010, 06:13

Yea I remember it around 1966 used to go in there quite a bit , it didnt last long though. typical of 60s decor. maybe it was a chinese restaurant after that.

Wynonie Harris · 04-02-2010, 07:46

You're one up on me, Al. Can't even recall walking past it. Definitely not up there with the legendary places like the Dahlia and Olympus!

beechy · 04-02-2010, 12:47

i cant recall this cafe... melbo yes
blue dahlia..yes. the outside of this reminds me of the chippy on church st

Margaret Pilkington · 04-02-2010, 13:35

I vaguely remember it, wasn't it on the same side that Moffitts and Baileys was on?

Can't say that I ever went in there though....but then I only went in the Blue Dahlia once or twice.......and never in the Melbo.

Taggy · 04-02-2010, 14:01

I cant remember that at all, but going off the layout it definately looks like the same building which later became a Chinese restaurant, it was on the same side as Baileys, i can recall going in there a few times in the 80's and there were stairs to the left just after the entrance which you can see on the photo of the inside.

Incidently, does anyone remember a cafe/milk Bar on Blackburn Road near where the old Raleigh Bike shop was? Can anyone recall what it was called or the name of the owner? He was a rather rotund gentleman, quite jovial as i recall. He had a small lump/wart on his face. Used to go in there as a kid with my parents, when just going for a walk along Blackburn Road was actually quite a plesant experience!

Best Regards - Taggy

Alan Gilmartin · 05-02-2010, 05:18

Im pretty sure Wyn it was only there for about a year, Len was trying to get in on the 60s cafe bar scene, but alas it was a flop. Just because you've got a good name in the Market Hall, it just does'nt always transfer.

Wynonie Harris · 05-02-2010, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Gilmartin

Im pretty sure Wyn it was only there for about a year, Len was trying to get in on the 60s cafe bar scene, but alas it was a flop. Just because you've got a good name in the Market Hall, it just does'nt always transfer.

Well, looking at weighing scales, while you sip your expresso might have been a bit of an off-putter and there doesn't seem to be a jukebox in there...always essential for any good 60's coffee bar, as you know, Al!