Following on from a request via Facebook, we were challenged to find some advertising on cafes and restaurants. I had a few ideas of places to look but then had the great fortune to purchase a fantastic book called Hampshire and Isle of Wight Illustrated. This book, put together to provide information on various towns and locations in the area was typically paid for by the advertisements contained with the book.

I love these books more for the fascinating insights on local businesses than the technical details about the places. For family historians these books are a goldmine of information particularly as the adverts often incorporate pictures of the staff and owners of the business.

With regards to cafes and restaurants I discovered a number in this publication (thankfully dated as 1905).

On page 9 there is an advertisement (complete with staff) for the Suisse Cafe and Restaurant in the High Street, Southampton.

Further on in the book is a particularly interesting and unusual eatery called The Ferry Tea Boat which is only two minutes’ walk from the tram stop at Tuckton Bridge.

Moving now to Bournemouth we find The Bungalow Cafe owned by Lloyd’s Cadena Cafes.

Unlike the previous pictorial advertisements, we next have a purely text advert for The Victory Restaurant, Gosport. Though lacking in pictorial interest, we do discover that they catered for all classes with prices ranging from 6d to 2 shillings.

Further on in the book, and now in Landport, Portsmouth, there is a two-page advertisement for The Handyman Restaurant and Madden’s Restaurant and Hotel. Mr Madden clearly knows his customers and they are the numerous sailors coming regularly into port. Apparently, the establishment can at short notice cater for diners “in their hundreds.”

Although smaller advertisements the next two have lovely interiors showing not only the seating inside but the amazing amount of company displays. Smith’s Hotel and Restaurant in Southsea has a fabulous ‘Bovril’ display on the counter while the Swiss Cafe and Restaurant in Portsmouth has a Bass Brewery sign hanging in the background.

The Cecil Restaurant in Aldershot not only gives you the street view but also an idea of the spacious and well laid out interior of the restaurant complete with flowers and napkins on the tables.

Moving now to the Isle of Wight we come across the Dolphin Restaurant in Cowes where we can see both the exterior and interior of the restaurant. Next, though not described as either a cafe or restaurant, is the Ryde Up-to-date Eating House. They specifically accommodate Football and Athletic parties but do not specify anyone else. Also in Cowes is Shepard and Son who though being bakers and confectioners also offer a large lofty tearoom. What caught my eye most was the fact they have a soda fountain for “American Drinks”. Very adventurous for 1905!

Overall, an impressively large number of cafes and restaurants in one publication but when I did an internet search on them, I failed to find any further information (other than a Francis-Frith postcard of the Suisse Cafe). If anyone out there can shed more light on any of these establishments, I would love to hear from you.

Keep the challenges coming; it does make me work hard to track down interesting items from the archive I wouldn’t normally be browsing.

Thank you for joining me. If you have anything to add or just to tell me you enjoyed the blog - please let me know in the comments!

Richard Roberts