15 Things Only People From Bedford Will Understand

By Rachel Bailey /

6. The Utter Bliss That Was 'Being Cool' At Portioli Cafe

If you were a cool 16 year old, you were at Portioli€™s. Every Monday to Friday, from finishing school time to when that friendly Italian cafe family closed the doors on you, you were there. Forget your old haunt Cafe Crema; they banned smoking in there. So everyone who was anyone flocked to Portioli€™s instead. Situated outside of the bus station and offering a chicken Panini and a latte (in a glass!) for less than five pounds, you could sit outside on those chilly metal chairs and smoke away on your Sterling Menthols to your heart€™s content. Because what was cooler than smoking under-age while drinking a hot beverage you hadn't acquired a taste for yet while freezing your arse off in the depths of British winter?