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Marenghi’s Cafe History.
In 1891 the Italian Guiseppe Tidaldi came to England, he set up in a partnership with Antonio and Louis Bracchi, his wife’s cousins from Italy, they purchased a cafe in Newport in 1896 under the name of Bracchi & Co.
In 1897 Guiseppe Tedaldi opened a cafe in Blaina and Blaenavon as Bracchi & Co but their partnership was dissolved in this year, Guiseppe Tidaldi kept the two cafes going.
Messrs Antonio and Louis Bracchi.
In late 1898, Antonio and Louis Bracchi came to Abertillery and opened a cafe ice cream parlour in the newly built Arcade – No.5 the Arcade, High St, they also at this time had cafes in Abercarn, Newbridge and Newport.
Mr T. Tidaldi.
In 1902 the Bracchi Bros moved from the Arcade to No.6 Market Street, Abertillery. The Arcade premises were taken over by Mr G. Tidaldi though it seems as though the Bracchi Bros still owned the Arcade Cafe at No.5 High Street.
In May 1903, the Bracchi Bros and the Tildaldi’s were fined for obstructing the main street in Abertillery with their ice cream carts while selling ice creams and potatoes in the town.
In late 1903 Messrs Tidaldi was a company and Mr George Tidaldi was fined for selling ice cream from a cart which did not have his name written on the side.
Messrs Berni Bros.
In 1910, the Messrs Berni Brothers had taken over the Arcade Cafe and a cafe in Somerset Street, Abertillery.
In 1911, Messrs Tidaldi & Co went bankrupt.
In 1921, the Berni Brothers still had the Arcade Cafe.
Mr Louis Carpanini.
In August 1923, Mr Louis Carpanini was the proprietor of the Arcade Cafe.
Mr Emilio Marenghi.
By the late 1920’s the Arcade Cafe at number No.5 High Street, was in the hands of Mr Emilio Marenghi, it was a cafe, ice cream parlour, teas, and other hot beverages and also sold tobacco products.
Mr Marenghi married Miss Sally or Sarah Morgan of 98 Oak Street Abertillery in December 1931.
In 1932, Mr Emilio Marenghi of No.5 Arcade Cafe, Abertillery, went bankrupt, though it seems that the cafe remained in the hands of the Marenghi family.
After the second world war, the Marenghi family, who were still trading at the Arcade Cafe, Abertillery formed a partnership with a Humphries, as Marenghi and Humphries. They opened a new cafe called the Cottonwood, situated in the old post office building on High Street, Abertillery. I don’t know how long the partnership lasted but by 1949 the Cottonwood Cafe was occupied by Emilio and Sarah Marenghi.
Mrs G. Jenkins.
In 1951, Mrs G. Jenkins was stated as living or occupying the Arcade Cafe, Abertillery.
During the early to mid 1950’s, it is unclear as to whether the Arcade Cafe was still operational?
Mr and Mrs Jesse and Joan Howells.
In about 1954, Jesse and Joan Howells were listed as being at the Arcade Cafe, No.5 High Street, Abertillery. In 1962, Jesse and Joan Howell’s moved from the cafe and became stewards at the Station Hotel, Abertillery. In 1967 they were back at the Arcade Cafe until 1974 where it appears they moved from No.5 to No.3 the Arcade.
Mr and Mrs John and Glenys Lewis.
In December 1974, John and Glenys Lewis took over at the Arcade Cafe, Abertillery. I believe they were at the cafe until the early to mid 1980’s.
Mr and Mrs Ron and Elaine Woodward.
By the mid 1980’s, Ron and Elaine Woodward were at the Arcade Cafe, Abertillery.
Other names associated with the proprietorship of the Arcade cafe were as follows –
Mrs Jean Meek.
Mr and Mrs Tony and Mary Strickland.
Mr Gerald Burgham (March 1994 to September 1996).
Mrs Lisa Vowles.
Mr Ian Coles.
Miss Kirsty Edmunds.
I would like to thank the following people for their help in compiling the cafe’s history – Mrs Julie Rogers and Mr Gerald Burgham.
(More information to come).