Leos Cafe/Espresso Bar

I lived in Mitcham from when I was born in 1949 until 1991. In the 1960's, while still at school (Rowan Road), I worked in Tescos on a Saturday and used to meet my friends during my lunch hour in Leo's ice cream parlour. In 1965/66 I was offered a job at £1.10 shillings for a Saturday and sometimes worked a Sunday when there was a cricket match on. Leo's was indeed at the cricket Green on the Morden side of Mitcham. The Italian family were all involved in the business, mum, dad and three girls, if I remember rightly. One of the girls husbands drove one of the ice cream vans and another driver was called Frank. The small ice cream factory was at the back of the shop and there was a young lad (I think his name was Dennis) who helped the old man . The lad used to sit on the iron steps with a tray of lollies blowing in the small bags to open them and slipping a lolly into each, obviously little or no hygiene regulations then. The ice cream was delicious, there were three coloured lollies and cider lollies. I used to make and serve the espresso, sandwiches and ice creams, Banana Splits and Knickerbocker Glories all to the sound of the Duke Box, what memories.
During the 50's my nan used to work at the Majestic as a cleaner and an usherette on Saturday mornings. After the films I often used to spend time with her, she sometimes would take me up to the ballroom, I can smell the polish now!
There was a shop opposite the cinema in St Marks Road and before the films started we used to buy a frozen Jubbly for 4d.

Yes, is true, I think in shut down in ,1973-74. I think his name Leo Dimanchio. If his son had a round must ha e been in St Helias Estate. He used to park up outside our house, 82 Thornton Road. Sound his chimes, for those that could afford it would go out and buy an ice cream. We couldn't afford it. There was me and my three younger brothers in 1967 - 68. I vowed when I grew up I punch him right on the nose. But when I was 16 he was out of business. But I made to find out his name and the never forgot it. For vengeance. Many weeks my poor mum on a Thursday might have had twopence in her purse. Like a lit of kids on the estate as soon as they could leave they went never to return. I used to go to st Thomas of Canterbury in Mitcham and had to walk home to Carshalton and go past leos ice cream parlour. We just wanted to kill him, but he retired to Italy. I never forgot him and His jingly bells outside our house. When we got of age and we was 14 - 15 we'd rush out the house and tell him to fuck off. Never mind buy an ice cream, pikey toe rag.

This writer should be banned for silly comments and for mentioning the Gypsie of mitcham in a rude comment.