2I's Coffee Bar Commemorative plaque

[johnto]

Does anybody know what's happened to the commemorative plaque which used to be on the wall outside the former 2I's Coffee Bar at 59 Old Compton Street, Soho, London ? I was there over the Christmas period and the premise appears to have changed ownership and the plaque had disappeared.
Thanks

[David Martin]

That's a shame... It took years to get it up there...

[LONGPLAYER09]

Hi I'm awaiting a reply from my cousin (who used to attend/play drums the 2is in those days). I have some photos of him at the unveiling of the plaque. So may have an answer later. I'm interested as well!!

Mick

[GoldenStreet]

The premises appear to have become part of the new House of Ho Vietnamese restaurant complex.

From the London-Eating website...

OCS.JPG

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Bill

[Hank2k]

if i were ever to win the lottery id buy the 2is and put it back as it should be, failing that donations gladly accepted.

[drakula63]

I visited the place last summer and had my photo taken with the plaque - I think it's somewhere on this forum - very sad to hear that it's vanished.

P.S There was work being done to the place when I was there...

[TonyA]

Has anyone thought of asking the restaurant if they have the plaque.

Tony

[neil2726]

I thought they would have had to have had permission from the Council to remove it!

[GoldenStreet]

I thought they would have had to have had permission from the Council to remove it!

Let's hope it's not been 'unofficially' removed by souvenir hunters!

Bill

[MeBHank]

I've just called the restaurant and spoke to a girl whose attitude was "it's not our problem". I left my name and number and I was told someone from management would call me back.

Apparently, there has been another restaurant on the site since Boulevard left and House of Ho took over. I know Boulevard was still there in the autumn of 2012. I am guessing the plaque was taken down whilst remodelling work was being done to the building. Whether this work was done by the current or previous leaseholders is unclear. The worst case scenario is that the plaque may have to actually be found before it can be reinstated.

I know Mike Read is aware of this issue and is trying to find out what has happened.

It's bad enough that the building is no longer the 2i's and that the legendary basement now houses the toilets, but to take away the plaque is an insult.

I'll let you know what "management" say.

J