For Paola Doyle’s family founded the iconic Grosvenor Café in the city’s west end – a revelation that many other housing professionals who have known Paola were unaware of.  
Paola has given over 40 years of unbroken service to the one housing association.

Paola began working with Thenue when the housing association didn’t own any homes.

Located in Derby Street, Kelvingrove, Thenue provided “consultancy services” to small housing associations which they would “buy in.”

But a surprising fact is Paola – who is deeply proud of her Italian heritage -  has a connection to, of all things, ice cream!

Paola’s grandparents came to Scotland in the 1920s from rural Italy and founded the Grosvenor Café – first located in a prime spot on Byres Road close to Hillhead subway and later in nearby Ashton Lane.

They ran it for decades before it passed to Paola’s mum and aunt and her two uncles.

Both those uncles are pictured in a recently published book entitled “A History of Glasgow’s Byres Road” – which depicts the life of this bustling west end thoroughfare.

They are photographed inside the opulently fitted out café with lavish wooden shelving so typical of the style which Italians are renowned for.

Paola said: “I’m delighted the café features in the book because it is a snapshot of my family’s history in Glasgow and the contribution they made to the establishment and growth of the Italian café culture in the city.

“Who knows….if I hadn’t gone into housing I might have ended up serving nougats and 99s!”

As housing support manager at Thenue, Paola has, like her many colleagues, played a pivotal role in the smooth running of the Association and, of course, looking after tenants.

Her role included retirement housing, supported accommodation, tenancy support and management of the waiting lists.

Commenting on her four decades at Thenue, Paola added: “Bidding farewell to colleagues you have worked with – in some cases for many years -  is never easy but I’m looking forward to my retirement.

“I will also miss the tenants we have been able to help and support over the years in the way that only community-based housing can.”

Thenue chief executive Gary Naylor added: “Paola’s four decades of unbroken service to Thenue is remarkable and we are truly appreciative for such a long period of dedication to community-based housing. We are also grateful that Paola chose housing over ice cream and the benefits this has brought to our tenants over 40 years!”