Brown's Cafe has achieved fame on popular TV programmes during its lengthy service to the Oxford community.
Scenes for the detective series Morse and Endeavour were shot inside and outside the restaurant in the Covered Market.
As we recalled last week, Brown’s is celebrating 104 years in business this year at the same time as the market reaches its 250th anniversary.
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Many readers will remember Inspector Morse, the Oxford detective played by John Thaw, who featured on our screens solving murders and locking up criminals.
Endeavour, of course, was the prequel to the original series, starring Shaun Evans as Morse in his younger days. Endeavour was Morse’s first name, which was kept secret in the earlier episodes.
Viewers of the two series could be forgiven for thinking that Oxford was the murder capital of Britain!
Evidence of Brown’s Cafe’s TV appearances can be seen on one of its walls - the menu pictured below created for an Endeavour episode features prices from the appropriate period, the 1960s.
Last week, we recalled that the cafe had been opened in 1920 by Catherine Brown, daughter of Charles Brown, mayor of Oxford in 1932/3.
She retired some time between 1964 and 1976 and died in 1977 aged 91, having achieved her goal of providing “plain food, well cooked and plenty of it”. She often said: “I have no customers, only friends.”
Current owner Humberto Freitas took over the lease in 2010 having helped his parents, Agostinho and Maria, run the cafe at times since his schooldays. His sister Catarina is also involved in the family business.
Historians Sarah Eddie and Liz Woolley are planning a series of events in September with Mr Freitas to mark the cafe’s history.
They have set up a Facebook page which has attracted memories from many past and present customers.
Mr Freitas tells me: “I have been blown away by the response. We have tried to keep the essence of the cafe while changing with the times.”
As researcher Ms Eddie says: “He has continued the business model that Catherine Brown inspired, retaining the character of the place and its important role in the history of the Covered Market.”
The historic market is running a series of events throughout the year to celebrate the landmark anniversary.
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About the author
Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here.
He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.
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