The Locarno Cafe in the 1970s (posted in the Press and Journal with permission of Academy Street Heritage Project and the Serafini family).

The Locarno Cafe on Academy Street was owned and run by Renzo Serafini.

It had two entrances, one on Academy Street and one within the Victorian Market.

The street entrance housed a shop area with a wide variety of sweets in tempting, gleaming glass jars.

The cafe served a selection of traditional coffees which gave it a wonderful aroma, and was a regular favourite with ice cream fans, too.

Photo by Allan Joseph Macdonald

The premises were acquired for redevelopment for Ponden Home Interiors. By 2022 this business had ceased training and the premises again sold.

The Serafini Family also ran the Cafe on Harbour Road (at the Burnett Road junction) and

The West End Chippy on Young Street.