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Cafes in South West London in the mid-1970s
‘At a quarter to six one woke with a sudden start, tumbled into grease-stiffened clothes, and hurried out with dirty face and
protesting muscles. It was dawn, and the windows were dark except for the workmen’s cafes’
– George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and L0ndon
John’s, Nicky’s Lydia’s, Vicky’s, Muriel’s, Tony’s, Dave’s, Terry’s, Tony’s and Lena’s. All those London cafes are no longer there. In the mid-1970s, much as Peter Marshall did, Grenville Homer took pictures of local cafes as he walked around south-west London. They’ve been compiled in a book by Cafe Royal.
You can see Pete’s picture’s of London cafes here, here and here. But for now, let’s have a cup of char and a coffee (both sorts: white and black) at these places that each tell their stories of lost London.
As ever, if this was your business – and often also your home – please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
Mia Buckton told us on Instagram that the fabulous Kodachrome of sandwiches for sale in 197os London was taken at Buon Appetito on the city’s Sicilian Avenue.
For now let’s enjoy the pictures and imagine the stories between…
Explore more of lost London in our archives.
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