This is a fanzine for the coffeeshops of Bradford. It began in 2019 with 3 meetups between people, most of whom were new to each other. Coffeeshops are a wonderful place for drawing, chatting, eavesdropping, peoplewatching, and for letting time slow down. They are one of the nicest zones in which to share social space.
Covid got in the way but Mike kept on drawing the coffeeshops and has printed this for the 2021 Bradford Zine Fair. He’s on instagram as @mrmrduckett
•
The most ancient and original heart of Bradford can be seen at its best from the coffeeshop window. Kirkgate, Westgate, Ivegate.
•
The finest heft gobsmacking heft and detail of Bradford’s golden rolls-royce driving boom years stands ornate and heavy across the way.
•
The through and throng of Bradford people pass and drift and bunch and hurry past.
•
The best window onto our world.
I sit in Tiffin Grande (above), a nice big cube of a thing. Then Waterstones (below) has its mezzanine vantage point and window.
But my favourite central point of Bradford is Tyrrel street and the two ace cafe corners there.
•
I love Bradford to bits.
•
I only learn about the other people here by eavesdropping, by sharing public space, and by turning up.
•
Sometimes I draw them, because I’m that sort of person.
•
Sometimes they notice me draw them and it triggers a chat. Usually a really nice chat.
•
Thankyou if you’re someone who’s stopped to chat.
This page includes 2 pages from Ilkley, which is perhaps pushing the boundary of Bradford slightly. In order of appearance the coffeeshops depicted have been: cover - from Caffe Nero p2 - Collinsons, from archive p3 - Tyrrel St from Lefteris, and insert flyer of City Hall from The Cake ‘Ole p4 - Ivegate from Lefteris p5 - A mixed bag : Tiffin Grande, & the Waterstones view p6-9 - a friendly get together in Lefteris and Tiffin p10 - Esquires p11 - a map and the passersby Centrespread - uphill p14 Esquires & Smorgasbord p15 - Northgate Bistro, Bread & Roses p16 - Lefteris view p17 - Smorgasbord conversation p18 - Lefteris again p19 - Esquires again p20 - Ilkey Costa and Smorgasbord again p21 - Ikley Costa and a Starbucks p22 - Costa, Broadway