The Alexandra Coffee Tavern, at the corner of Cox Street and Ford Street, was opened in 1882 by Samual Allchurch. It had a bar with sawdust on the floor but served tea, coffee and cocoa with pieces of cake. Local tradesmen sent in meat, bones and vegetables which were made into soup. Anyone could buy a can of this for a penny. On the first floor the Alexandra provided a quality lunch for 2s=6d for its more affluent clients. The Coventry Trades Council held its meetings there and on 6^th December 1902 a small meeting was held to found the Coventry Labour Representative Committee, which later became Coventry Labour Party. The coffee house later became the Alexandra Cinema and in April 1929 it became the first picture house in the city to show a talkie, namely the Jazz Singer with Al Jolson. It became Theatre One in 1970. Its recent conversion to the Generations Night Club and Restaurant takes the Alexandra back close to its origins.