Present me with the two words – “cafe” and “antiques” and l tend to imagine some of the ‘oldies’ like me who tend to linger longer – in said establishments – over a cup of steaming coffee until the dregs run cold.
Strolling into Pierrepont Street one morning – it’s the street that leads into Manver Street and eventually to Bath Spa rail station – my eyes were drawn towards a portrait of Admiral Nelson in a corner shop window.
Now those who know me well may remember that a couple of years ago l curated a sort of Nelson relic in the care of the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution.
A small phial of liquid said to have been drawn from the huge barrel that the body of this naval hero was immersed in during the 44 days it took to tow what was left of the battle-scarred Victory back to England.
It sent me on a literary path – and a pile of biographies – plus a visit to Portsmouth and the Maritime Museum at Greenwich.
Always on the look out now for low budget memorabilia, l just had to go in to enquire about its price and, though reasonable l am sure, eventually decided there wasn’t enough space on our walls to hang it!
But l made another discovery inside what l thought was simply an antique shop as – at one end – what l took to be an old bank or bar counter had been successfully turned into a coffee bar complete with hot and cold food!
I only noticed the Fat Boys Bath Cafe sign on the way out and have to say it’s a good way of drawing people in to enjoy a smooth coffee while viewing the menu – and then inspect the selection of art, furniture, glassware and other objects laid out for sale.
The owners have a separate, and more serious art space, at Visage Galley in Wood Street.
