THE ROOMS UPSTAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1929, Page 2

THE ROOMS UPSTAIRS

CAFE KEEPERS BANNED.

LONDON, May 3. Surprise has been caused throughout the West End of London because of an official refusal to allow Gennaro and Umberto Sanseverinp, two of three Italian brothers, who own the Italian restaurant at Gennaro’s, perhaps the best-known cafe in< Soho—certainly to Australian visitors—to again land in England. - I T M I t- brothers were informed of the inhibition when they stepped off the gangway at Dover. They left for Paris and wrote to the Secretary of State (Sir William Joynson-Hicks), but received no'reply. The youngest brother, Vincenzo, remains in London, managing the business, and is hopeful something may be done through the Italian Embassy. brothers spent all their money, including their father’s bequest, in building the restaurant from one room and a tiny staff, in 1910, to seven dining-rooms, two banqueting halls and a staff of 86.

Vincenzo said that even ’Royalty yvas included among the patrons. He is completely puzzled over the Whole affair, and says: “It must bo those private rooms we had upstairs, but they were abolished two years ago.” He ‘ added': “Why shouldn’t a party have dinner in a private room, the same as in an hotel?” v

The Home Office remains, silent. ,