A FAMOUS caff in London’s cockney heartland is doubling up as the Liverpool coffee shop the young John Lennon hung out in—for a film about the former Beatle’s early life. A film crew has been shooting some caf� scenes at Pellicci’s in Bethnal Green because location scouts couldn't find anywhere suitable on Merseyside

By Julia Gregory

A FAMOUS caff in London’s cockney heartland is doubling up as the Liverpool coffee shop the young John Lennon hung out in—for a film about the former Beatle’s early life.

Film-maker Sam Taylor Wood is shooting some caf� scenes at Pellicci’s in Bethnal Green after location scouts were unable to find anywhere on Merseyside with the 1950s’ ambiance.

Shoppers along Bethnal Green Road spotted Kristin Scott Thomas (pictured), star of Gosford Park and Four Weddings and a Funeral, enjoying a cuppa at the caf�. She’s playing Lennon’s aunt Mimi who he went to live with.

Teenage actor Aaron Johnson is playing the young Lennon.

Pellicci’s is famous for its post-war look that was needed for the movie Nowhere Boy.

The Pellicci family were quite enjoying the limelight while the film crew were on location’ this week.

“They’re using our caf� as a stand-in for Liverpool,” said an enthusiastic Anna Pellicci.

“They’ve got an old 1950s cigarette dispenser and one of the first Expresso’ coffee machines, but I’m looking forward to hearing the actors speaking Scouse’ down Bethnal Green.”

The caf� which was the first ever to be listed by English Heritage with a Grade II billing for its distinctive interior has been in the Pellicci family since it opened in 1900.