Bohemia Village Voice

Erkan, owner of the A21 Cafe, prepares new price stickers.

Erkan and Fatma’s A21 café venture is nearly 18 months old. “It’s our first café,” said Turkish owner Erkan, “and we are very pleased with the way the business has been going. “

“Although, it’s quiet in the summer, we like it, because we can go to the beach when the café closes. We have changed nearly everything since the previous owner (Dave) was here. When we took over, we used to live above the café, but now we have a flat in Warrior Square.”

Do they have children? “Yes, a girl, Sedef, aged six who goes to St Paul’s School, and a boy, Zulfükar, three and a half.” Is this their first café? “Yes, but I worked for ten years in London at another café and learned the business there.” The hours are long, and the café is open seven days a week, from seven in the morning to 4:00pm on Mondays to Fridays, and from seven to 3:00pm on Saturdays and from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Sundays. “My sister and her husband also work here.” Erkan added. Any changes planned? “We’ve just introduced a lower priced menu, for example our ‘No. 4’ breakfast (bacon, egg, sausage, onion burger) which used to sell at £4.80, is now only £4.50.”

Is Erkan planning a long stay in Bohemia? “Well, we have a ten-year lease, and I don’t want to become a big business. I’m quite happy here. Maybe one day, I would like to open a café or something along the seafront.”

The A21 Cafe - Fatima behind the counter.