Café Bencotto was originally built as Felixstowe's first fire station at the very beginning of the 20th century (the first photo we have seen is dated 1905). The two stone arches to the front of the building were the entrances to the fire tender bays where the engines would sit waiting for a call out. In the early years the tenders were horse drawn and the horses stabled out back, and a call out was initiated by a shout, usually from someone who had literally run to the fire station.
In 1969 Felixstowe's fire service moved to the new purpose built fire station in High Road East and the old station was purchased and turned into the Bencotto Steak House and a separate Café. These businesses operated successfully until sold to Tim and Julie Yeo in June 2007. The premises were both closed and planning for a complete refurbishment commenced.
In August 2008 the building was reopened as Café Bencotto. Inside, as much of the original brickwork and tiling as possible has been revealed and the restored arches, which had for many years been concealed behind signage, once again grace the front of the building. In 2009 Café Bencotto was awarded a commendation from the Felixstowe Society for the "enhancement of the environment" as a result of the sympathetic restoration work undertaken.