A GLASGOW MP has congratulated an East End cafe on their 90th anniversary in the House of Commons.

Paul Sweeney recognised the achievement’s of Coia’s Cafe in Dennistoun during an address in the UK Parliament.

House of Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom then joked that she was “disappointed” she had not been asked by Mr Sweeney to join him on a visit to the restaurant which “sounds fantastic”.

Carmine Coia, who was affectionately known as Charlie, set up the first Coia’s Cafe on the corner of Duke Street 90 years ago.

A shop-fitter by trade, Carmine and his wife Amalia came to Scotland from Filiano in Italy. The business was then ran by his son Nicky, who died last year at 84, and later grandson Alfredo.

Mr Sweeney visited Alfredo and his son Carlo last Thursday to present a Hansard transcript of his statement in the House of Commons.

Mr Sweeney said: “Having been a regular patron of Coia’s since I was a child, it was a real delight for me to be able to recognise 90 years of this family-run Glasgow icon in quite a unique way as the local MP.

“Alfredo and Carlo were delighted with the framed Hansard transcript and will be displaying it in the restaurant to commemorate this wonderful milestone.

“I wish the next generation of the Coia family all the very best as they carry forward a great East End family tradition.”

Last week, we reported that the Coia family held a star-studded party packed with celebrity guests to mark their 90th anniversary.