Turkey Cafe, Art Nouveau cafe in Granby Street, Leicester, England
Turkey Cafe on Granby Street is an Art Nouveau building with a striking facade of matt-glazed Carraraware tiles from the Royal Doulton Company, decorated with three large turkey figures. The Grade II listed structure features carefully designed interior spaces with distinct areas for different visitor groups.
The building was designed in 1901 by architect Arthur Wakerley and served as an important social gathering place during the Edwardian era. It remained a key meeting point for the community until the 1960s, when usage patterns shifted significantly.
The cafe reflects early 20th-century social divisions with separate spaces designed for women and men. A Ladies Orchestra performed here regularly, making it a gathering place for different parts of the local community.
The building on Granby Street now operates as a daytime cafe and evening cocktail bar under the name 1901 - The Turkey Cafe. Visitors will find the interior arranged across multiple connected rooms with subtle level changes, which helps with getting oriented inside.
The building blends British Art Nouveau architecture with Turkish-inspired decorative elements, creating an unusual cultural mix for its era. This fusion reflects the international trade interests and exotic influences that shaped the Edwardian period.
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