All Transport Trust members and friends are invited to the unveiling of a Red Wheel at the Ace Cafe on London’s North Circular Road on Sunday 8th September.
The Ace Cafe was originally opened in 1938 as a service area for the then new North Circular Road. As well as petrol pumps it had what is believed to be the first automatic car wash in the UK, along with a service bay and a new-car showroom, plus a building with a restaurant at one end and a café at the other. It is probably the earliest “Motorway Service Area” in UK.
In 1940 the site was badly damaged by the Luftwaffe and it was rebuilt in the late 1940s (café only, but to the original design). It fed lorry and car drivers initially but as the 1950s went on it became a ‘must visit’ location for young motorcyclists.
Nationwide publicity was achieved when motorcyclist, the Rev Bill Shergold, who was co-founder of the local church youth club, approached the bikers at the Ace and was astounded at the positive response. Many attended the services at what became the 59 Club and even brought their bikes to be blessed!
However, motorcycle sales peaked in 1959 and after a decade of decline the Café closed in 1969.
Nevertheless, its memory remained and in September 1994, enthusiast Mark Wilsmore and friends inspired a gathering to mark the 25th anniversary of the closure. The response led to the Ace being partially re-opened 3 years later, followed by a full re-opening in 2001.
The unveiling by the Mayor of Brent will take place at about 10.00 on Sunday September 8th as part of the 26th annual Ace Café Reunion weekend. The Transport Trust will be represented by two of its motorcycling Trustees, John Broad and Keith Gibbins, plus Mike Lunch whose 1927 Sunbeam could well have been among the Ace’s pre-war customers.
Location: Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge, NW10 7UD
Parking: Not available on site, except for motorcycles and scooters!
Public Transport: Stonebridge Park Tube Station is 5 minutes walk away, buses 112, 224 and 440 all stop in front of the Ace, or take bus 18 to Stonebridge Park Station.