Central Cafe Closed Its Doors For the Final Time Yesterday

• Ross Miller

  • Location: London Road, Dover
  • Registered: 17 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 3,698
  16 August 2009     18:3827360
  #1       report
  Walked past the Central Cafe on London Road today, there was a large fluorescent green notice in the window advising that they had closed for the final time on Saturday.
  
  It really is the end of a Dover institution.
  
  It is worth noting a new cafe is opening next to the Kent Bakery Co (formerly Lawrence's) in what used to be the White Cliff's Tandoori before they moved 2 doors further up London Road.
  "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
  
  "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
  While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
• DT1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 15 Apr 2008
  • Posts: 1,116
  16 August 2009     18:4127361
  #2       report
  A real shame, you are right a real Dover institution. A bit off my usual route these days although I have enjoyed many a breakfast in there.
• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  16 August 2009     19:0827366
  #3       report
  i heard that they lost a lot of business over the smoking ban.
  
  i have only used the place once, and everyone in there was either lighting one up or putting one out.
• Terry Nunn

  • Location: London Road, Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 4,302
  16 August 2009     19:2827373
  #4       report
  Ah yes chaps, the end of an era. Might have something to do with a planning application to demolish it and next door and build a double fronted shop and five flats. Quo Vadis Petals and Blooms?
  
  I believe both the cafe and Central Taxis, now A to B, were once owned by a former councillor, Peter Bean.
  
  In the meantime here's a 1950's picture of what it was before, courtesy of (and with permission) of Bob Hollingsbee.
  
  Whoops, got the wrong picture, will try again.
  
  
  Terry
  Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
• Terry Nunn

  • Location: London Road, Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 4,302
  16 August 2009     19:3427376
  #5       report
  

  
  
  Terry
  Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  16 August 2009     19:3627379
  #6       report
  the sign over the door looks like it says "official phone repairer", i thought that only the gpo was authorised to repair phones.
• Guest 651

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 5,673
  16 August 2009     20:5927386
  #7       report
  You need to read across !! "Official Repairers. Phone 96"
  Been nice knowing you :)
• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  16 August 2009     21:2427388
  #8       report
  looks like i fell for that one paul.
• Guest 641

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 2,335
  16 August 2009     22:0727391
  #9       report
  That's what we need, a cycle repair shop , I note they also supply ammunition in the above picture, thats handy.
• Ross Miller

  • Location: London Road, Dover
  • Registered: 17 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 3,698
  16 August 2009     22:1227392
  #10       report
  There is always Halfords, though a search of the tinterweb turns up:
  
  Andy Cycle Shop
  
  156 London Road, Dover, Kent CT17 0TG
  
  p: 01304204401
  
  Which is up near Buckland Mill as far as I can see. I believe that they were featured in the local paper a few months ago.
  "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
  
  "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
  While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
• Terry Nunn

  • Location: London Road, Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 4,302
  17 August 2009     06:5227401
  #11       report
  Andy's has been closed for ages Ross. The one you are thinking of opened I think in March. It's "Dubcycle" and is run by two guys who know what they are talking about (unlike the chain stores) called Ash and Jim.
  
  It's at 199 in the row of shops on the left hand side oposite the now defunct car and van hire place.
  
  Terry
  Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
• Guest 673

  • Registered: 16 Jun 2008
  • Posts: 1,388
  17 August 2009     09:3027412
  #12       report
  The lease had run out on the Central Cafe, according to ex customers.
• Ross Miller

  • Location: London Road, Dover
  • Registered: 17 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 3,698
  17 August 2009     15:2127424
  #13       report
  Thanks Terry - that is indeed the one I was thinking of
  "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
  
  "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
  While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi