Charles Cordy arrived in Trimley in 1833 as a tenant farmer at Searsons Farm, situated at the end of what is now called Cordy's Lane. Charles had a son named William who, after being set up in a grocery business in Chelsea, London turned out to be the "black sheep" of the family by mixing with bad company and gambling away all his money.
William was brought back to Felixstowe in disgrace, where he ran a business grinding flour from the mill in Mill Lane. He then lived at the top of Peewit Hill, in Orwell Cottage, which is today thought to be haunted by his spirit.
William Cordy later moved to Hamilton House on the corner of Bent Hill, next to the present site of "The Alex". It was his first son, also named William, who opened the first Cordy's Restaurant in Felixstowe. The wooden clad part of what used to be the 'Grand Hotel' was originally two buildings and William purchased these to form his restaurant. In 1900 it is recorded that one of his customers was the Empress of Germany, daughter of Queen Victoria.
William's younger brother Frederick worked for him, leaving sometime in the 1890's to open a restaurant in Hamilton Road. Frederick also owned a bakery in Orwell Road and it was from here that deliveries were made by horse and cart. All of Frederick's sons went into the restaurant and bakery business with the exception of Frank who opened Cordy's Chemist in Hamilton Road.
Leslie Cordy was the third son and in 1926 he purchased and demolished two houses on the seafront, at the bottom of Bent Hill, to build the 'Alexandra restaurant', opening on the 8th May 1927. After marrying in 1935, his wife Hilda played an active part in the enterprise.
Leslie's son Roger joined the business in 1955. Together with his wife Pat, they concentrated on continuing a standard of service and cuisine which became a widely respected trademark of 'The Alex'.