April 2023

An old school gem

April 2023 <h2>An old school gem</h2>

The iconic E.PELLICCI CAFÉ

Before the emergence of artisan coffee houses, there existed the original British café experience, affectionately known as the greasy spoon.

Look hard enough and you’ll still find some of these no frills cafés with still beating hearts, that were once central to the communities they served.

Take a trip down Bethnal Green road and rediscover one such old-school gem; the iconic E.PELLICCI CAFÉ. Boasting ornate décor unchanged since 1946 [Pellicci’s opened in 1900] this lively family run Anglo-Italian landmark still serves a mean cuppa and signature dishes amid the hustle, bustle and banter characteristic of a yesteryear - squint and you could be transported to any era.

So why Pellicci’s as a location for British Vintage Boxing?

The cafés connection with boxing began with its close proximity to the celebrated Repton Boxing Club (see journal entry) just a stones throw away on Cheshire street – catering for generations of boxers down the years.

In the 1950’s the infamous Kray twins boxed at the Repton Club, (see journal entry) and could be found regularly at Pellicci’s reading the papers and chewing the fat – immortalised in the film ‘THE KRAYS’ starring Tom Hardy with a memorable scene shot in the café.


The cafés story, community spirit and warm embrace continues to draw in not only the local community but people from far and wide in a pilgrimage of sorts to the Mecca of East End Café life. On any given day expect to rub shoulders with someone from the sports or entertainment industry, having a chin-wag and soaking up the atmosphere.

For our shoot we brought together a crew who reflected the spirit of community and the character of E.Pellicci, all with a love of boxing.

From the acting world we had Max Beesley: The Outsider (2020) Homeland (2011) & Suits (2011) and James Nelson-Joyce: The Responder (2022) The Outlaws (2021) & Time (2021) and from boxing Charlie Duffield: Retired light-heavyweight boxer and Lonyo Engele: Director of boxing at Stormldn boxing gym.



A big thank you from BVB to an amazing crew for bringing great energy and personality to what transpired to be a special day.

And to the wonderful E.Pellicci's for having us!

VIEW LOOKBOOK

INTERVIEW

MAX BEESLEY

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

INTERVIEW

LONYO ENGELE


FROM OUR BLOG

DISCOVER THE LEGENDS

View all
'THE OLD MONGOOSE'

'THE OLD MONGOOSE'

‘I'm like the drunk in the bar who wants just one more for the road.’ Archie Moore Archiebald Lee Wright was born into poverty on 13 December 1913 in Benoit Mississippi and is without a doubt a...

FIGHTING HARADA

FIGHTING HARADA

‘Harada had a lot of velocity in his arms, reaching to hit me recklessly several times. It was a style of his own that hindered the opponent when they tried to hit him.’ Eder Jofre, The Ring Magaz...

GEORGE CARPENTIER - THE ORCHID MAN

GEORGE CARPENTIER - THE ORCHID MAN

‘Attack is only one half of the art of boxing.’ George Carpentier   As a fully fledged 175lbs light heavyweight standing at 5ft 11 inches, Carpentier was a light heavyweight force of nature. How...