Church Street Cafés and Refreshment Rooms

Church Street Cafés and Refreshment Rooms.
The Tillery Restaurant.
In 1894 the Tillery Restaurant was opened by Mrs A. Challenger at 30 Church Street, Abertillery. The Tillery Restaurant was in the building next door to where Hectors Cafe, Church Street is today.

The Waverley Hotel. 
In 1910 the Waverley Hotel, was advertised as being in Church Street, Abertillery. The proprietors were Messrs J. F. Jones. Later advertisements stated the Waverley Hotel, Abertillery was situated at High Street and Church Street so it may well have been on the junction of both streets.

Brown’s Cafe.
In 1922 Browns Cafe opened at the Trinity Buildings, Church Street, Abertillery. Mr J. Brown & Sons were the proprietors. Their adverts stated, “Charabanc’s stop opposite the door”. The Trinity Buildings were under the Trinity Chapel, later taken by Weaver to Wearer, John’s Newsagents and Carpet Forum etc. The Trinity Church and buildings has recently been refurbished but is unoccupied.

The Central Cafe.
In 1922 the Central Cafe 33 Church Street, Abertillery was opened by Mr Joseph Bracchi. At the time Mr Bracchi approached the council to ask for permission to have a fish frying business at his cafe, arguments broke out between both parties and there was opposition from the council as to whether to accept Mr Bracchi to fry fish at his premises, the council had always said they would not allow the frying of fish in the town center. I cannot find any more information on this subject other than the council inspections later showed his cafe was suitable for such a business.

In 1927 the Central Cafe, Church Street was under new ownership of Messrs Berni.

(More information to come).