The Xtra Diary - The Allisons’ wonderland

Published: 15 April, 2011

DOES a ley line run through Cleveland Street? 

The Fitzrovia thoroughfare has certainly been the subject of chatter recently. First there was the wrangle over the Cleveland Street Workhouse, then came news that Taggart writer Glenn Chandler had written a musical about the notorious Cleveland Street brothel “scandal”, which sent shockwaves through London in the late 19th century. 

Now Diary has been contacted by a pop star seeking a photograph of the Bread Basket Coffee Bar, a hip hangout spot that was once a feature of – you guessed it – Cleveland Street. 

At the height of their fame in the 1960s, The Allisons – real names John Alford and Bob Day – would travel from their base in west London to Fitzrovia to practise in the café. 

It was a focal point for artists across the capital and was owned by music aficionado Doris Westwood, who famously held an annual ball at the Empire Rooms in Tottenham Court Road, which was attended by stars such as Bob Monkhouse and the Vipers Skiffle Group.  

The Allisons had hits with Are You Sure, Words and Lessons in Love and are still playing gigs across the world. 

This year is the 50th anniversary of their high-ranking performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961.

John told Diary: “This is a big year for us – and we are still the most successful British group ever that has been in the Eurovision.”

John has a faded 1955 photo of the Bread Basket but he says he wants to get his hands on a clear one for his anniversary year collection of Allisons memorabilia. Anyone who can help is urged to contact the West End Extra.

Is the Circus set to roll back into town?

THE junction where Tottenham Court Road becomes Charing Cross Road – with Oxford Street to the west and New Oxford Street to the east – is currently hellishly chaotic and impassable as a result of the Crossrail construction work. 

It is also contested territory, with opinion split over the notoriously divisive issue of nomenclature.

Last year we reported how Soho residents, including burlesque club founder Lady Alex and Coach and Horses owner Alastair Choat, had thrown their weight behind suggestions that the new Crossrail station, which will have an entrance in Dean Street, should be renamed Soho. 

But has a rival campaign to christen the station St Giles – in recognition of the fact that the junction was once called St Giles Circus – been reawakened?

Several years ago we reported on a bid by local figures including the Reverend Bill Jacob, rector of St Giles-in-the-Fields church, to revive the St Giles name.

And this week Tass Mavrogordato, chief executive of business interest group InHolborn, told Diary that renaming the station St Giles might help raise the profile of the area. She said: “It’s not Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street station should be Tottenham Court Road. We’d support it (renaming the station) if people want it. Personally I think it’s a nice idea.” But she added: “In terms of our work it doesn’t make any difference what anything’s called. I think people get value from whatever’s going on.”

Politics is a dirty business!

HAS someone been making a mess in the Members’ Room? 

The facility – a kind of common room for councillors – is mentioned in the latest issue of Westminster City Council’s weekly information bulletin.

It states: “In response to concerns about the state of the Members’ Room, we would like to clarify that the bins are emptied and the kitchen is cleaned on a daily basis, with the room spot checked each day before 8am; the carpets are vacuumed and the furniture/desks are cleaned on a weekly basis. The fridge is cleaned on a quarterly basis but officers will monitor the cleanliness of it each time they re-stock it and order an additional clean if necessary. It is the members’ responsibility to deposit all rubbish in the bins provided and load any dirty crockery/glassware into the dishwasher.”

But which politicians need to clean up their act? 

Labour leader councillor Paul Dimoldenberg was at pains to point out that the room is used only by Conservatives and that Labour councillors use the Leader of the Opposition’s Room.