Next door to Chequers is Rice N Spice, a cafe which, when it was open, afforded a good view of the comings and goings along the High Street and into and out of the next door pub. Its large, red-framed glass windows were perfect for watching the world go by, while the price of a cup of tea, at 50p ensured this form of organised loafing was not an expensive occupation.
Unusually for local cafes they still sold a basic cup of Nescafe along with the now obligatory Lattes (₤1), cappucinos (₤1), mochas ((₤1.10), and mochatos (90p) which are so de rigeur these days.
The cafe was opposite the entrance to Vernon Road with 1st Choice and the lower High Street N&A Fishmongers on either corner. This position could be what has attracted Metrobet to buy it so that we have yet another outlet for gambling on the High Street. Its not as if we need any more, having the Tote, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Quicksilver and Cairn's Amusements (less than 20m away) all busy snaffling up the punters cash already. The local pawnbrokers are doing a fine trade as it is.