Kolkata's iconic Coffee House shuts doors amid coronavirus pandemic

iconic Coffee House in Kolkata's College Street area on Friday anunced closure till March 31 in wake of coronavirus pandemic. A spokesperson of decades-old joint told PTI that manment had option but to close down for first time since 1958 in view of prevailing situation as public garings will endanger health of patrons and staff.

re has been advisory from government but in view of statements of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging to taking certain precautions and avoid large garings and maintain social distancing, decision was taken, he said.

Having started as a coffee joint from Albert Hall in 1942 by Coffee Board, place was named 'Coffee House' in 1947 and became integrated with city's herit and culture - a meeting place for poets, artistes, literati and people from world of art and culture.

In 1958, manment decided to shut down Coffee House but it was re-opened same year after professors of n Presidency College and Calcutta University rushed off a special petition to government to save herit place.

joint associated with memory of luminaries like Satyajit Ray, Amartya Sen and Ritwik Ghatak had never faced such a closure since its inception, even during Naxalite movement of 70s, barring developments in 1958, spokesperson said. "We will review situation on March 31 and are hoping for best. We will also wait for government's decision. Let's hope present situation ends soon," he said.

Many of around 50 patrons who assembled today became emotional. y sang famous Manna Dey number -- 'Coffee House'er shei addata aaj aar nei' ( coffee house won't be same again), while drinking 'infusion coffee', spokesperson said.

Im credit: Tripadvisor