Victoria Cafe, Glasgow Road

The Victoria Cafe on Glasgow Road, opposite the Co-op, was popularly known as Angie’s Cafe.

Another View of Gilmour’s Building or Gilmour’s Land as it was called, like all other buildings, being named after their owner or builder. Land was pronounced Laun locally, so this was Gilmour’s Laun, looking east. The proper name for the building was Gilmour’s Place.

The butcher’s shop was run by Jock and Chrissie Richardson, who also owned a garage further up Glasgow Road, next to the old Community Centre.

Archie Peat commented, “Up above the shop (two windows) lived Wullie Park and his wife, he was a top member of the Labour Party, an International socialist and founder member of Blantyre Co-op.

I have it on good authority that this was a safe house for renegade Irish Free Staters before independence in 1922.

Next door was my Grandparents, Archie and Sarah Peat. Archie was President of the Vics from 1933 to 1946. He was a Representative on the S.F.A and the Lanarkshire Junior FA. He also held the Military Medal and was CQMS (Company Quarter Master Sergeant) of the 6th Cameronians.”

Archie Peat

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