El Chico and Franco’s
DO YOU remember the El Chico Coffee Bar?
Fifty years ago it re-opened after moving across the road in Derby Square and was renamed ‘Da Franco’ by owner Franco Pedretti, and regular Looking Backer Mike Jones said that it was a place “full of interesting characters.”
Mike said: “I first started going in with my Polish friend, Wiktor Maslowski, around 1960. It was full of interesting characters, not least, a chap named Tommy Sutherland, who liked to read people’s palms.
“He said I would have a successful life and have three children. Well - two out of three’s not bad!
“It then became a favourite meeting place for Marj and myself, from April 1962, when we met, until a while after we got married in March 1964.
“Trendy coffee bars were not too common at that time and the taste of the coffee was wonderful.
“The serving counter faced you as you went in, with tables and chairs to the right next to a large window looking down Swan Street and across to the Saracens Head.
“However, we favoured the shady alcoves to the left, which were a bit more private.
“In fact the ground floor has changed little today.”
Do you remember El Chico or Da Franco or do you know Mr Pedretti? Maybe you have some old photos of the coffee bar?
If so please contact Liam Coleman on 01509 635806 or email liam.coleman@trinitymirror.com