The Humpty Dumpty Restaurant

Do you remember where it was?

By Adam Johnson

I recall my father taking me there during the early 70's. Althought it was nothing special, just a greasy cafe serving egg and chips, my childhood memories are of the precarious journey to the toilet in between the ground and first floor.

A very precarious building
As you came to the top of the first landing, there was no back to the building. You turned immediately left and into a cubicle with partial floorboards and a hardboard wall. If I remember rightly, the toilet was just blanced on the floorboards!! Looking back, despite the fact that it has such an impact on my childhood, I am surprised that the local council never had much input on the services provided. I'm glad to see some things don't change!!

A 'crack house' prior to demolition
So, where was the Humpty Dumpty Restaurant? I may be wrong, but I was positive it was in North Road where the new library is being built. Its last purpose was as a 'crack house' prior to demolition and I'm sure as I walked past I could identify the room where the toilet used to be.