Soul Cafe

[Dave West]

Just been to Skeggy and had a coffee in Dave Raistrick's Motown Cafe, daves sold records in Skegness for many years but the addition of this extremely nice cafe complete with motown memorabilia etc is great.

does anyone know of any more scattered about the country.?

[Guest James Trouble]

Was chatting to a couple of people about somthing along these lines on Saturday.

Would there be interest in openning a venue that caters only for soul/funk/RnB music, in a city center, probably London, with 49% of shares sold to the soul scene, with a handful of like minded 51% owners who make the major decisions. Would members of the 'scene' want to contribute to a venture like this?

[Guest]

Was chatting to a couple of people about somthing along these lines on Saturday.

Would there be interest in openning a venue that caters only for soul/funk/RnB music, in a city center, probably London, with 49% of shares sold to the soul scene, with a handful of like minded 51% owners who make the major decisions. Would members of the 'scene' want to contribute to a venture like this?

No

[Peter99]

Was chatting to a couple of people about somthing along these lines on Saturday.

Would there be interest in openning a venue that caters only for soul/funk/RnB music, in a city center, probably London, with 49% of shares sold to the soul scene, with a handful of like minded 51% owners who make the major decisions. Would members of the 'scene' want to contribute to a venture like this?

Not enough detail Mr Trouble. Anyway - why London? I think the Isle of Skye would be a far nicer location.

[Kevinkent]

Just been to Skeggy and had a coffee in Dave Raistrick's Motown Cafe, daves sold records in Skegness for many years but the addition of this extremely nice cafe complete with motown memorabilia etc is great.

does anyone know of any more scattered about the country.?

No, but there will be one on the Costa Blanca in Spain within the next couple of years.

You'll be more likely to order a nice cold beer though!

[Guest James Trouble]

Not enough detail Mr Trouble. Anyway - why London? I think the Isle of Skye would be a far nicer location.

London, Isle Of Skye, somewhere with a large up for it club culture. Basicalyl a venue the promotes the cutting edge of the funk, soul, Rnb, mod, hip hop scenes, playing original vinyl only, vintage music. Presenting this music how it should be presented, by the people who care about it. The aim would be to give those who should be playing this great music a venue where they can reguarly share their records, and reguarly hang out, and also to promote the music to a new audience who may not otherwise be able to experience it without being part of 'the scene'. I guess hopefully it would lead to a 'new blood' coming through.

I dunno, maybe a pipe dream, but it might just work if done right...It would be risky though, which is why I think it woudl have to be done with alot of shares sold to people who believed in the idea and who think it would be worth the risk...

Just an idea, but perhaps if there was enough interest...

[Guest]

London, Isle Of Skye, somewhere with a large up for it club culture. Basicalyl a venue the promotes the cutting edge of the funk, soul, Rnb, mod, hip hop scenes, playing original vinyl only, vintage music. Presenting this music how it should be presented, by the people who care about it. The aim would be to give those who should be playing this great music a venue where they can reguarly share their records, and reguarly hang out, and also to promote the music to a new audience who may not otherwise be able to experience it without being part of 'the scene'. I guess hopefully it would lead to a 'new blood' coming through.

I dunno, maybe a pipe dream, but it might just work if done right...It would be risky though, which is why I think it woudl have to be done with alot of shares sold to people who believed in the idea and who think it would be worth the risk...

Just an idea, but perhaps if there was enough interest...

Put your own dosh in it,who`s gonna`invest in your pipe dream if you dont believe in it.Dont want it anyway,snoozfest!!

[Harrogatesoul]

Hi James

An interesting concept and one which many of us have probably thought about in one way or another. Start up costs will be horrendous - Perhaps one way of doing it is buy an already established cafe and convert...

Considering the amount of free publicity which could be used word should be able to be spread fairly quickly. Eg: Put on flyers / sites such as SS etc etc. I'm sure there's quite a few media savvy folk on here with connections who could also promote it too.

As a young mod in the late 80s I used to love hanging out in the Cafes in Leeds with other mods etc and a focal point for collectors and like minded folk I'm guessing would be a goer. Who wouldn't want to hang out - Have a few beers and a dip thru someones sales box?

But! As with anything it's a risk - Reliable trustworthy staff? Management? Suppliers? etc etc.

Headaches yes - Rewards? Maybe.

Best regards

Rich

[Guest vinylvixen]

Just been to Skeggy and had a coffee in Dave Raistrick's Motown Cafe, daves sold records in Skegness for many years but the addition of this extremely nice cafe complete with motown memorabilia etc is great.

does anyone know of any more scattered about the country.?

https://www.detroits.co.uk/index.htm

Am I being a bit thick or is there an address for the place on the website??? Jo

Edited July 31, 2007 by vinylvixen

[Kevinkent]

Basicalyl a venue the promotes the cutting edge of the funk, soul, Rnb, mod, hip hop scenes, playing original vinyl only, vintage music.

Just an idea, but perhaps if there was enough interest...

Call me old fashioned, but when I go into Starbucks - I just want a good old cup of coffee !!!

The funk has sunk it for me - just ain't my cup of tea

[Mark Bicknell]

If you gonna do something like this you have to think along the sames lines as 'Hard Rock' and 'Planet Hollywood', authentic genuine memorabilia is a must as anyhthing else just looks tacky and cheap, so to deck a place out in this will cost a fortune to start with that's if you can find it? location is all important so London or Manchester somewhere like that would be a good choice, then there is the cost of buying a suitable property to house the thing, to set something up like this your not gonna see a lot of change out of a million quid? similar ideas have been and gone i even think there was a Motown Cafe in New York and Florida which i understand are closed now so it's a very big gamble indeed.

I don't think you can simply rely on the scene to champion a venture like this so you would have to look at the bigger picture which would have mass appeal to survive, retro is good, very trendy etc. but it would have to be more than that to tempt serious investors and create something with longevity.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Edited July 31, 2007 by Mark Bicknell

[Guest Bearsy]

I completely agree with Mark,

there is another way though,

first find a suitable site for your Cafe/bistro, a liquor liscence would be an added bonus as you could do a restaraunt in the evening too. get that off the ground and running at a profit if possible or at least not losing money then invite people around and have themed nights etc, over a period of time you could add memorabilia and maybe more of a theme to it as you go along but it would take a good few years and lots of money to get it established, first and formost get it running as a profitable business and then slowly turn it into what you want but like Mark said what happened to the themed cafe`s in New York it is a gamble,

would you trust me with a few thousand pounds of yours on a venture you may hardly ever even visit without any garauntee of your money back never mind making a profit out of your investment as at the end of the day James it is an investment and a serious business and not just a hobby,

Great idea and yes i think it is viable if you have the knowledge and experience for this and and the funds to go for it, good luck if you do go for it as i would definately give it a visit if i was in town

Bearsy

[Guest Goldwax]

There was a Motown / Soul cafe on Portabello Road 10/15? years ago - I've no idea who ran it or why it closed down but as has already been said, a huge risk.

[Dave West]

Just been to Skeggy and had a coffee in Dave Raistrick's Motown Cafe, daves sold records in Skegness for many years but the addition of this extremely nice cafe complete with motown memorabilia etc is great.

does anyone know of any more scattered about the country.?

SO, I THOUGHT I WAS ASKING IF ANYONE KNEW OF ANY OTHER CAFE ETC. AND ENDED UP WITH BUISNESSMEN DISCUSSING A FRANCHISE SIMULAR TO HARD ROCK CAFE ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[Guest]

i even think there was a Motown Cafe in New York and Florida which i understand are closed now so it's a very big gamble indeed.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

And Dresden.

[Guest vinylvixen]

SO, I THOUGHT I WAS ASKING IF ANYONE KNEW OF ANY OTHER CAFE ETC. AND ENDED UP WITH BUISNESSMEN DISCUSSING A FRANCHISE SIMULAR TO HARD ROCK CAFE ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Detroits in St Helens - although judging from their website, you'd be hard pressed to find it. The map doesn't expand and there are no links to any other soul sites to promote it....me - I've been there and done the restaurant thing and wild horses on amyl nitrate wouldn't get me back into the business. Now if you were talking about a crazy golf course with a Motown theme...... Jo

[Guest]

And there is one in Lewisham

[BlueWail]

third one down

https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europ...rpool-BR-2.html

[Denbo]

If you gonna do something like this you have to think along the sames lines as 'Hard Rock' and 'Planet Hollywood', authentic genuine memorabilia is a must as anyhthing else just looks tacky and cheap, so to deck a place out in this will cost a fortune to start with that's if you can find it? location is all important so London or Manchester somewhere like that would be a good choice, then there is the cost of buying a suitable property to house the thing, to set something up like this your not gonna see a lot of change out of a million quid? similar ideas have been and gone i even think there was a Motown Cafe in New York and Florida which i understand are closed now so it's a very big gamble indeed.

I don't think you can simply rely on the scene to champion a venture like this so you would have to look at the bigger picture which would have mass appeal to survive, retro is good, very trendy etc. but it would have to be more than that to tempt serious investors and create something with longevity.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

"..........location is all important so London or Manchester somewhere like that"

What about Liverpool, where there has been the Soul Cafe on Bold Street for years!!!

Opened by a fairly wealthy guy with an interest in Soul music whilst attempting to start his own independent Radio Station playing Soul and R&B at the same time.

I admit, it doesn't just cater for the minority ie just Soul music lovers but for everybody. Perhaps that's why it's lasted so long, apart from selling a damned good cup of coffee.

Best thing is, there's a great Record shop just a few yards away too, and a great Real Ale pub around the corner, also just a few yards away. What more could you ask for?

Once again, Liverpool lead the way but NEVER gets the recognition it deserves!!!

[Denbo]

third one down

https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europ...rpool-BR-2.html

Soul Cafe, Bold Street, Liverpool. There you go, that's the one, saves me posting a link.

If you want the exact location of Detroits in St.Helens, my adopted home town, my wife hails from St.Helens you see, then simply go to www.yell.com and type in Detroits and St.Helens, Merseyside, and it will reveal that it is on Barrow Street. Easy peasy.

See, all good ideas originate and are sustainable in the NORTH of England

[Guest]

Soul Cafe, Bold Street, Liverpool. There you go, that's the one, saves me posting a link.

If you want the exact location of Detroits in St.Helens, my adopted home town, my wife hails from St.Helens you see, then simply go to www.yell.com and type in Detroits and St.Helens, Merseyside, and it will reveal that it is on Barrow Street. Easy peasy.

See, all good ideas originate and are sustainable in the NORTH of England

Woolybakc

[Denbo]

Woolybakc

Woolybakc???

Oh, you mean Woolyback

Nah, I'm from Liverpool, I just live in St.Helens. But yes, and proud of it

BTW, do you know the true story behind the expression Woolyback?

[Guest garv]

Was chatting to a couple of people about somthing along these lines on Saturday.

Would there be interest in openning a venue that caters only for soul/funk/RnB music, in a city center, probably London, with 49% of shares sold to the soul scene, with a handful of like minded 51% owners who make the major decisions. Would members of the 'scene' want to contribute to a venture like this?

What about having a chat with a cafe owner who is already up & running, maybe not as succesful as they want to be & a new idea pitched the right way could see them willing to share some of the costs & change there cafe into a new style. i think its a great idea but as others have pointed out the start up costs are enormous.

[Guest]

Woolybakc???

Oh, you mean Woolyback

Nah, I'm from Liverpool, I just live in St.Helens. But yes, and proud of it

BTW, do you know the true story behind the expression Woolyback?

Me too.I remember getting Wigan bus on my own from pier head,and as you hit St Helen it would fill up with woolys,i used to hate being called a wooly........strong broad yarkshire accent and fifty inch bags didnt help .

[Maria O]

Call me old fashioned, but when I go into Starbucks - I just want a good old cup of coffee !!!

So why do you go there?

(I'm so fussy with my morning brew, that I tend to travel with my coffee & cafetiere if there's any chance of not being in the vicinity of a espresso machine in the morning )

The concept might really appeal to someone who is seeking to set up such a business, but it is difficult to trust all the right ingredients are there to invest in (like great food & coffee ...or whatever the market in the area 'wants' - if it wants it at all).

I think Scooter clubs hang out at the same bars and eateries more than soul communities do.

...But I could be wrong and good luck to anyone who tries .

m

[Guest]

Don't do it!

Unless you are doing it with someone else's money!!!

Me and my missus ran a soul-themed bar and restaurant called The Grapevine in Poulton le Fylde, Lancs for two and a half years until we sold it in 2005.

Here's what happened....................

We paid a relative pittance for an old shop in the market place, and applied for a drinks licence. Police, council etc all objected, and we won. Which caused no end of resentment. We got Ginger Taylor, who is a builder for those who don't know him, to do the place up. We got motown, casino, mecca, etc memorablia from all over the place and made it into an upmarket eaterie with a dog's bollocks sound system and a capacity of 180 people. The locals loved it.

About 18 months later it was a bar only, with no food, and we were still very busy with locals and the odd visiting soulie (en route to the Fleetwood weekender.) Music policy was commercial motown, 70's, jazz funk and rare northern when we had the right crowd in. We had the support and backing of everyone from Searling, Roberts, Ginger, Russ W, etc but in the end you have to face facts. There aren't enough serious soul fans to fill a `180-capacity bar every night. People do not want to travel far just for a drink. You had to cater for the masses, and not "educate" them. Go into this kind of thing with your eyes open, or you will end up a nervous wreck working 7days a week, 52 weeks of the year if you are not careful.

PS The bar/cafe is still there - now owned by someone else and that suits us!

I'm glad we tried it (and we turned a few lazy ex-mecca locals onto some great rare tracks) but it nearly finished us off mentally and physically.

Robbing banks is less hassle!

Now if it had been in Manchester........hmmmmmmm.

Dave

[Guest mel brat]

Just been to Skeggy and had a coffee in Dave Raistrick's Motown Cafe, daves sold records in Skegness for many years but the addition of this extremely nice cafe complete with motown memorabilia etc is great.

does anyone know of any more scattered about the country.?

Oh, right! Didn't that same cafe used to be in London(!?), near to Portabello Road??*

(I went there once or twice several years ago and had a nice long chat about... er, what else but records with some guy!)

I remember that the lyrics to "Baby I Need Your Lovin" were painted on the wall and the place was plastered with colour reproductions of Tamla Motown albums etc. Nice sixties aluminium furniture etc. too. I think that it was called 'The Detroit Bar' though, come to think about it... Anyone know the full story?

*PS. Just read Goldwax saying the same thing! Sorry!

Edited July 31, 2007 by mel brat

[Soulsmith]

There is/was a diner in Brighton selling 'proper' soul food.

Was featured on TV (last year) with Gordon Ramsey doing some sort of make over.

Any one know if its still there?

[Guest mel brat]

I'm glad we tried it (and we turned a few lazy ex-mecca locals onto some great rare tracks...

Dave

...I'm hoping you mean the "local Mecca" here, and not...etc. 'cos I ain't it the mood for yet another argument...!

I think you're right about the doubtful viability of Soul themed bars etc. though, as friends of mine only had a "Soul" jukebox in their otherwise "non-themed" pub. It attracted loads of younger people who were presumably impressed by the sheer novelty of music on vinyl(!), but in the end they kept playing tracks they already knew over and over until it almost drove the proprietors crazy and they had to remove it!

We sometimes forget that rare Soul music is still very much a minority interest and even discos would struggle to fill up with local Soul fans alone - hence our familar itinerant habits!

[hipshaker 05]

not in the uk but ...... i passed by a place called the tamla motown bar (i think) in fuengirola. poked my head in during the day ... toilets were called "temptations" for men and "supremes" for women i think.

[Kevinkent]

not in the uk but ...... i passed by a place called the tamla motown bar (i think) in fuengirola. poked my head in during the day ... toilets were called "temptations" for men and "supremes" for women i think.

Surely that would have been the other way around!

[Tomangoes]

And just to add salt to the cut, if you were a commercial success you would be accused of profiteering.

London would be best due to the amount of visitors and tourists, but realistically most 'new outlets' change identity every few years and rare soul has not always been as popular as now.

Personally I agree with the concept of theme nights in an existing outlet looking to boost sales by virtue of a 'new experience'. After all most soul nights and all dayers/nighters have to share venues that put other events on aswell.

Ed

[Guest soul diva]

Yes - its still there Col....

Went there a couple of months ago - I'm not far to Brighton, but wouldn't make a special journey to eat there.......

There is/was a diner in Brighton selling 'proper' soul food.

Was featured on TV (last year) with Gordon Ramsey doing some sort of make over.

Any one know if its still there?

[lee]

MOD POP CAFE, MANCHESTER

We took over the old "Cafe Pop" on Oldham St in Manchester a year ago and its become a hangout for plenty of faces on the Soul, Mod & Scotter scenes.

The Cafe is full of 50s & 60s stuff for sale and is open all week from 10am-5pm Mon to Sat & 11am 4pm Sundays. We serve great fresh ground coffee without charging an arm and a leg, food is homemade and local sourced and we even have DJs on from time to time.

Check out some photos of the place on the North West Vision website link below:

https://northwestvision.horizontechnology.c...p;_iu=cat%3A_54

We are still making new regulars out of most of the people that come in but it's always nice to see new faces.

Cheers

Lee

[Bigsoulman]

Just to add my tuppence worth, a serious finacial risk of course but having visited Carnaby Street in London last month for the first time in 30 years I was astonished how un-mod/soul it was shops, pubs or cafe's, surely someone who owns something like the above would have some sense to at least try it and if it don't work then revert back to what it was, just a thought

Lenny

[Guest vinylvixen]

Me and my missus ran a soul-themed bar and restaurant called The Grapevine in Poulton le Fylde, Lancs for two and a half years until we sold it in 2005.

Here's what happened....................

We paid a relative pittance for an old shop in the market place

Dave

Dave, how spooky.....my nana used to have a shop in the market place called 'Elite Flowers' back in the 6Ts and it was next door to the Police Station. Wouldn't it be even spookier if it turned out to be the same shop As well as being 'hatched' in Poulton, I used to spend most of my early summers in Poulton up the Garstang Road. Happy days. Jo

[Guest vinylvixen]

MOD POP CAFE, MANCHESTER

We took over the old "Cafe Pop" on Oldham St in Manchester a year ago and its become a hangout for plenty of faces on the Soul, Mod & Scotter scenes.

The Cafe is full of 50s & 60s stuff for sale and is open all week from 10am-5pm Mon to Sat & 11am 4pm Sundays. We serve great fresh ground coffee without charging an arm and a leg, food is homemade and local sourced and we even have DJs on from time to time.

Check out some photos of the place on the North West Vision website link below:

https://northwestvision.horizontechnology.c...p;_iu=cat%3A_54

We are still making new regulars out of most of the people that come in but it's always nice to see new faces.

Cheers

Lee

Looks spot on, Lee. Good luck with the venture and hopefully I'll pop in for a brew when I come oop north. Jo

[Reg]

Vox pop in the Northern Quarter(Mcr) have a nice little cafe inside..not strictly a soul record shop but they sell plenty. It's good for me to wait in whilst the other half ploughs through boxes of 45s!