St George’s Café, 12 Oxford Street, Manchester

Opened in June 1928 to serve a growing demand for meals at moderate prices. Women were then also falling into this category. “The new voters and their elder sisters are finding that to feed well and wisely is economical.” To coincide with the opening of the café, the Manchester Guardian published an advertising feature giving details.

THE NEW ST GEORGE'S CAFE - Comfort for customers is conspicuous in the lightness and brightness of the main dining-room, on the first floor, which is airy and has windows on two sides—a contrast to subterranean stuffiness and darkness. The aim of making the café a homely, healthy rendezvous is thus achieved. The walls are panelled in oak and below the oak a dado of royal blue. The floors are also of oak. Along the middle of the floor is a double line of octagonal oak columns whose caps have a flower-like form with petals of copper and glazing in blue and amber. It is through this medium that the overhead light shines in a soft and diffused glow. All the bay that closes the vista between the columns is occupied by the fireplace in a background of rough-textured plasterwork. Double windows keep out the rattle and noise of the street. Like most other buildings recently erected or reconstructed, the premises are centrally heated, and special attention is paid to the ventilation, so that customers will have no cause to complain of over-heating or be afraid of draughts.

On the top floor, where the kitchen is situated. there is an abundance of light and air, ensuring that the cooks work in an atmosphere of cheerfulness and freshness. No one can pass along Oxford Street without observing the note of cheerfulness which the architect for the building, Mr. G. H. Gatley, Manchester has introduced to the shop front. It has small-paned bow windows in light oak and enclosed in a plain frame of green marble which cuts it off from its surroundings. The whole makes a patch of fresh colour relieving the local greyness. A pierced metal sign, hanging out over the door in the manner of an inn sign, depicts in silhouette St. George and the dragon. The general effect has made many passers-by stop and examine the setting in detail. Attached. to the shop. downstairs, where cakes and other dainties baked on the premises are be sold, is a little gallery convenient for partaking of morning coffee or afternoon tea. There and in the shop the oak background is continued.

Firms engaged in the reconstruction and fitting of the building included Albert Ashworth, builder and general contractor, Manchester, - reconstruction of two upper floors. formation of roof and the whole of the plastering scheme, areas, doorways. George H. Goldstraw, Limited, joiners and builders - main staircase, panelling, mantels, oak staircases, fitments in servery in, café, and hardwood joinery in shop. Longworth and Sons, sanitary engineers, Manchester - glazing and installation of sanitary fittings and iron drainage; Well-Fire and Foundry Company Limited, London and Manchester, special fireplaces in dining-room.

Reference           Manchester Guardian 12 June 1928 page 13