1901 - The Turkey Cafe

The Turkey Cafe, located at 24 Granby Street in Leicester, was built between 1900 and 1901 and is designed by Arthur Wakerley for J S Winn. The building is constructed of brick, with the street facade faced in coloured Carrara ware made by the Doulton Company.

This three-storey structure features an eccentric Moorish style facade. The late 20th-century shop front is set behind a restored shallow arch, which includes six pendant drops. Below the arch, there are ceramic turkey sculptures perched on corbels, all of which have been renewed. On the first floor, a large central arch with two pendant drops is flanked by two small semi-circular side arches supported by pilasters with bulbous bases on pedestals. Between the pedestals, a low parapet decorated with shallow blind arches supports the moulded sill for the casement sashes, which include a three-light window with an upper transom in the central opening and a single light on each side. The side-hung casements above the transom retain their original lead lights. Above the moulded first cornice, a frieze inscribed 'The Turkey Cafe' is presented in Arts and Crafts style lettering.

On the second floor, a large central opening is spanned by a shallow horseshoe arch that springs from side corbels attached to the piers. Flanking this are small semi-circular arched openings with small circular openings above. The piers are decorated with horizontal bands of alternating light and dark tiles, while the arches feature similar alternating voussoir bands. The central opening contains a large plate glass window with decorative etching. Above the moulded cornice, the parapet is topped with a large horseshoe-shaped panel that features a framed image of a turkey, all set in ceramic tiles. The interior retains some original features, including oak panelling in the main first-floor room and a rear window with stained glass in an art nouveau style.