Fountains Coffee House in John Street to close after 55 years

Fountains Coffee House, based at the Oastler Centre in John Street, is closing on March 31 after initially opening its doors in 1968.

Ever since, it has welcomed three generations of the same families in for a bite to eat and a cuppa.

Inside Fountains Coffee House (Image: Newsquest)

But co-managers, married couple Michael and Stella Georgiou, say a combination of factors has led to their decision to shut. They say the rise in energy prices coupled with the Oastler Centre shutting for good this September has prompted their decision to close.

Fountains Coffee House, nearest entrance to John Street Market on the left, pictured in 1971 (Image: Newsquest)

Stella says the café has a loyal group of customers who regularly come in for refreshments and to meet others, branding the site a ‘social hub’. She has worked at the café for 27 years, while Michael started in 1982 aged 19.

The café was opened and run by Michael’s parents, Paul and Mary Georgiou, for almost 50 years. Paul died in 2019 aged 89 following a short illness.

From left, Paul Georgiou, actor Maxine Peake and Mary Georgiou pictured outside the cafe during a break from filming in 2017 (Image: Newsquest)

Stella, 59, said: “Times change and things move on and hopefully the new Darley Street market will bring new life into Bradford. It needs it.

“We have known for a long time about the café closing. It’s going to be an emotional day when we close on March 31. We’re going to miss our customers.

The side entrance to the cafe (Image: Newsquest)

“Covid sealed our fate, trying to come back after lockdown. It was almost like starting a business again. It has been really hard since Covid.

“Hopefully we will have more time for ourselves as we have been getting up at 6am six days a week and have not had a holiday for 28 years.

Mary Georgiou, who opened Fountains Coffee House with her husband Paul in 1968, pictured with their son Michael, current co-manager of the cafe (Image: Newsquest)

“Some customers have been coming in for the whole time we have been open. One couple did their courting in here. They still come in.

“Groups of people became friends by coming in here. They don’t see each other outside the café. It’s a social hub.

“John Street used to be packed with shoppers. It’s very quiet now.”

The front entrance of the cafe (Image: Newsquest)

The café has also been used as a filming location for a number of television series and films, including the BBC’s Great Train Robbery which starred Jim Broadbent, and the film Funny Cow starring Maxine Peake.

Michael said: “My parents worked well together. My dad is the story of this whole thing.

The menu inside Fountains Coffee House (Image: Newsquest)

“We don’t get the office workers anymore. We rely on our regulars.”

Fountains Coffee House is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 3.30pm.

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