City Arcade and the Bird Cage

Heck. I cant believe it's that long ago. I remember bumping into an old colleague from the GEC just outside, and they were having a closing-down sale.

That's jogged my memory, because I used to go to a detached house (I remember the number even today) to collect paper money. Let's just say it was in the Canley Gardens, neck of the woods, not far from where I lived. On my first visit, an English lady answered the door. I got my little book out and asked the lady's name, expecting an English surname. She said "I'm Mrs Minelli" with an air of authority. I looked surprised as I had only heard of Liza Minnelli. She then told me that she was married to Mr Minelli of the Nello's restaurant fame. Every week it was she who answered the door. Mr M was never there, too busy running the restaurant I daresay. We had many conversations. I never met Mr M. Nor have I ever been to the restaurant as a customer.

I used to go to Nello's regularly, as he set up a deal with the owner of the Climax back in the 1970's, (who was a friend of mine), to offer meals at a reduced price, and even set up a Disco in the upper floor of the Restaurant after the Pub shut. Nello sadly died in a swimming accident whilst on holiday in the Bahamas in the late Seventies, IIRC, his Maitre D', (Maro), bought my Gran's House in Kirby Road, Earlsdon, after she passed away in 1974.