News / Cafes
Bristol’s ‘oldest greasy spoon cafe’ to close
A cafe which has been dubbed Bristol’s “oldest greasy spoon” is to close after decades.
The Fountain Cafe, on Church Road in St George, has been open since 1955 and for the last 13 years has been run by Charmaine Daveridge and her family.
But she says the building, which started life in the 1870s as The Tram Refreshment Rooms and tobacconists, is now going up for auction following the death of her landlord.
is needed now More than ever
She will be moving her business to a former cafe and sandwich bar nearby.
The Fountain Cafe in St George is closing on Saturday – photo: Charlie Watts
Charmaine said: “My landlord died two years ago so everything’s been going through probate, and then his wife said in his will he said he wanted the building sold so it’s going to auction end of August/end of September.
“I was hoping to stay and I did try talking her round, saying, “It’s five years before I retire, can you not keep it until then?” But she just wants it sold.”
Following the closure of the Fountain, Charmaine is taking on the former Gillian’s Cafe & Sandwich Bar on Crofts End Road less than a mile away.
Charmaine Daveridge, who has run the cafe for the last 13 years, says the closure will be “emotional” – photo: Charlie Watts
Keeping the name “Gillian’s Cafe”, the 61-year-old says it will be a cafe with a convenience store selling essential items such as tea, coffee, sugar and breads.
She says she only got the keys to the new premises on Monday, and has been working there “morning to night” to get it ready for opening on the Monday coming.
“We’ve got such a fantastic customer base, we’re on first name terms with them all, so we really wanted to stay in the area,” she said.
“At the Fountain we have such a lovely outlook over St George’s Park and it’s so light, but this is just a completely different ball game.
“I’m going over the Fountain on Saturday – the last day – and I think it’s going to be quite emotional because I loved the place.”
Following the closure of the Fountain, Charmaine is reopening the nearby Gillian’s Cafe on Monday – photo: Charlie Watts
Main photo: Charlie Watts
Read next:
- The Gallimaufry reveal latest hand-painted sign
- ‘Beloved’ Italian restaurant to close after 13 years
- Family-run cafe to close after 29 years
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