Boots cafe: For ladies who lunch

IN the 1950s, the place to meet for coffee for well-to-do ladies and businessmen was the cafe on the first floor of Boots, on the corner of East Street and St Peter’s Street, Derby.

Elizabeth Stringer, of Mickleover, worked as the cafe cashier in the early 1950s, alongside manageress Miss Marie Fulton and her assistant, Miss Meg Jones.

She recalled: “The cash desk was a rather small compartment, situated just inside the double doors to the entrance of the cafe. Friday was usually our busiest morning when the ladies of the town, mainly wives of doctors and well-known businessmen, would meet their friends for a cup of excellent coffee.

“In those days, it cost three old pence and, when it became necessary to increase the price by 1d to 4d (1.6p), a few customers resented the rise.

“Miss Fulton always reserved a large round table, looking down on St Peter’s Street, for these ladies, who obviously enjoyed this special, personal attention.

“Each of the waitresses was allocated her own tables to look after and Miss Jones would circulate to ensure that the customers were receiving the best possible service.

“Coffee was available from 9am and lunches were served between 12 noon and 2pm, from a varied menu prepared by two male chefs. Miss Fulton, a lady greatly respected by both customers and friends, would personally supervise the quality of food on offer at all times.

“An allocation of cigarettes, which around those days were in short supply, was made available for sale in the cafe. These were kept in a locked drawer by the side of the cash till.

“A single packet of 10 cigarettes was strictly rationed to each regular customer using the cafe. As more fashionable clothing was becoming available, our lady customers began adopting the ‘New Look’ and would appear, on Friday mornings, in their latest purchases to the delight and interest of their friends, making a dramatic entrance through the glass swing door, hoping to impress.”

Do you remember the Boots cafe? Were you one of those ladies who lunched on a Friday? Click on the discussion link above to share your memories.

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