Locarno - Mecca

When the Mecca Locarno Ballroom opened its doors in Manningham Lane in September 1961, the dancing fraternity of Bradford was introduced to new splendor and opulence in dance halls. Rising from the ashes of the old Bradford Rolarena Roller Skating Rink, it was the latest thing in modern ballrooms; in fact, it was one of the last purpose-built dance ballrooms to be opened in the UK.

From the elegantly named ’Ladies Boudoir’ with its 45 full-length mirrors and Georgian décor to the gentleman’s ‘Stag Room’ offering electric shavers, hair cream, and free shoe shine, this was luxury with a capital 'L'.  Two bands played providing continuous music by changing over on the revolving stage. For patrons queuing outside on cold evenings, the heat was provided by infrared heaters in the canopy above the frontage, while the dance floor itself was maintained at a cool temperature from air vents discretely placed around the raised edge.  

Above the dancers were 35,000 Italian-made light bulbs which, when lit on their own, gave an impression of a starlight star at night.  The Bradford Mecca Locarno was the first ballroom in the UK to install this feature. Such was the prestige of this new ballroom that within a month of opening BBC Television broadcast the first of many Come Dancing programmes from the venue.

On opening, it was advertised as ‘Entertainment For Everyone’ with Special ‘Off the Record’ dance sessions, ‘Over 21’, nights, Weekend Gala nights, Palais nights, and the Sunday Club.  There were also to be Saturday Matinee dance sessions and Monday mid-day ‘Off the Record’ sessions. ‘Mecca Bingo’ was also introduced adding that patrons must be a member.

The General Manager of the Locarno was Alan Boyce, a well-respected gentleman who came from the Locarno in Bristol with a reputation that was absolutely first class and would go on to repeat his popularity with the Bradford patrons. For many years the Locarno was very popular not only for Bradford’s Modern Ballroom Dancers but also for the rock 'n’ roll teenagers.  While in competition with the Majestic which in the early 1960s had held its own, it was from the mid-1960 when the Majestic was declining as a ‘rock 'n’ roll’ venue that most of its patrons visited the Locarno for its pop stage shows and artists.  The DJ Mervyn Wood was very popular.  

Some of Bradford’s rock 'n’ roll groups did play at the Locarno, but this was rare as for most of its history it was dance bands and well-known artists that were on the scene.

It was ironic that the Locarno on opening was introduced in the weekly programme, Mecca Bingo, as with similar dancehall ballrooms it would be Bingo that finally took over the Locarno Mecca in the 1970s. 

In the 1980s and 90s, through various changes of style and ownership of the ballroom, it was in October 1993, that Bradford entrepreneur and businessman John Pennington purchased the ballroom now called ‘The Maestro’. He closed it, refurbished it, and re-opened it as Pennington’s Variety Club. It returned to its former glory and became one of the most popular nightspots in the North of England. In November 2003 the doors were sadly closed for the last time.

My first meeting with Alan Boyce was a few months after the Locarno’s opening when I paid a visit to check out the Majestic’s competition..  I asked for him by name, introduced myself, and the reason I was visiting.  Mr. Boyce proceeded to show me around the building from the offices, bars, dressing rooms, and backstage.  I was impressed!  It seemed that he had also done his homework as well, and knew all about the Majestic and the ‘very popular’ DJs Dal and Dadio (his words).  

After this meeting, we became firm friends, so much so that he gave me a free pass. I took the opportunity to visit from time to time to see various pop stars or groups who appeared there like 'The Searchers'  and ‘The Temperance –Seven'. During a visit in 1964, Alan asked me if I would like to be the full-time DJ at the Locarno..  The offer was tempting, but I declined as I still had my loyalties with my many friends and patrons of the Majestic.

The Gaiety

This was perhaps one of the best-known of Bradford’s pre-rock ‘n’ roll dance halls for the modern ballroom dancers with its heyday in the late 1940s and 50s.  Opened in 1947 and situated above Burton's Tailors on Tyrell Street, it was a hive of activity, with big bands and swing music.  

The loud music from inside could be heard through the open windows and throughout Tyrell Street and beyond on hot summer evenings.  Not many, if any local rock 'n’ roll groups appeared here.  The Gaiety was demolished in the 1960s. 

MILTON ROOMS-EUROPA

Situated above a row of shops at 45 Westgate, close to Lumb Lane, the Milton Rooms was, in the early 1950’s a popular small dance hall. For a time it had a reputation for being troublesome and down market.  In the late 1950s, it was modernised and changed its name to the Europa: many local rock ‘n’ roll groups played at functions here.  It was also used for ballroom dancing and rock ‘n’ roll’ lessons. 

In the 1980s it was taken over by toe-tapping pensioners, who renamed it The Harmony.

THE CO-OP HALL

Situated in Southgate off Thornton Road, this was one of the many dance halls used for private functions, with resident band Haydn Robinson and the Dunedin Players.  With a beautiful stage and PA system, its central position also made it very popular for theatrical shows and exhibitions connected with its adjacent Emporium (Cooperative Society Store). In the 1950s with the event of rock ‘n’ roll from time to time, it tried to introduce rock ‘n’ roll sessions with local groups.  However, with too many other local rock ‘n’ roll venues and the demise of private functions, it closed in the 1960s and later was demolished.

In late 1959 Dal Stevens and the Blue Jays' played at this venue on a Wednesday evening, six-week booking. 

THE KINGS HALL AND THE QUEENS HALL

These two dance halls were situated within the Windsor Baths complex and had been popular for many years well into the mid-1960s.  Both, although independent, were very spacious and could accommodate many patrons.  

However, the Kings Hall was really the Windsor Baths swimming pool: when it was required for dancing a sprung floor was placed over the pool.  Few people realised what was waiting below as hundreds of feet pounded these boards.  The independent Queens Hall was surrounded by a large balcony and could be opened into the Kings Hall to make a really large dance venue.  

Many local groups did play at the Kings and Queens especially at local firms’ staff dances, and it was very popular for the university ball. In 1968 the Queens was taken over by Bradford College Students Union. 

The Kings Hall no longer opened for dances and reverted to its full-time use as the original Windsor swimming Baths.  

The Somerset

Situated at number 11, Idle Road this was one of the first rock ‘ n’ ‘roll disco venues that came to prominence in the mid-1950s before the central dance halls of Bradford had changed from dance bands to rock ‘n’ roll nights.  

For early rock ‘n’ rollers the Somerset was the place to go.  The venue was very small (two bedrooms knocked into one over a shop),  and you had to climb a flight of steps to reach the two small rooms where the boys and girls ‘bopped’ and rock ‘n’ rolled. The music was supplied by gramophone records played by the person who was running the club, or by a hired DJ. Mick Judge, later of the Jurymen he was an accomplished DJ there for some time in the mid-1960s.

Sometimes a local skiffle group and the odd rock ‘n’ roll group performed, but because of the size of the room, this was not a success. Despite its lack of space, it was always popular and well-attended.

THE QUEENS, IDLE

Another of the early rock ‘n’ roll venues, a rather small place. It had very subdued lighting but a fair amount of volume coming from a speaker:  There was no DJ; records were played on a large radiogram in the corner of the room.  

The room was always wall-to-wall with people, very hot, humid, and sticky. However, it was a very good evening all for the cost of 1 shilling. It was managed for a short time by Garth Cawood.

One of my first introductions to the world of rock ‘n’ roll dancing was here at the Queen's in Idle in the 1950s It was small with subdued lighting and loud music from speakers. The slow numbers such as Sam Cooke’s ‘Ivory Tower’ were ideal for a smooch and chatting up the girls.

It was at the Queens that I found out the fast numbers for jiving, with my lack of rhythm were not for me. Therefore I spent most of the evening sitting out these numbers. But what a time it was. The girls had powdered faces, crimson lipstick, tight blouses, and flouncy skirts with layers of petticoats underneath. When the girls spun around their skirts flared out to show a mass of colour and sometimes stocking tops and suspenders.

I danced with a girl exactly like the one I described. Later I walked with her to the bus stop. It was a beautiful summer’s evening as she held my hand, and I felt really proud of being with this beautiful girl with a  lovely figure. Old people stared and shook their heads, while young lads leered at her tight sweater like those seaside Bamforth postcards. Later I was thankful that I had not made a proper date with her and fallen in love, as all I could think of was walking hand in hand up Ruffield Side towards my house to meet my mum! 

The Tudor Dance Hall

The dance hall was situated behind the Engineers public house at the crossroads at Dudley Hill; it was also the Tudor Café in the daytime.  The tables and chairs were moved to make room for dancing on the Saturday nights.  This was the idea of a young entrepreneur Mr Garth Cawood in 1957.  

The highlight of these Saturday nights was a demonstration of ballroom dancing by Garth’s mother Dulcie Burton and her partner Ernest Page.

It was during this time that Garth developed and introduced his system of being a DJ.  It is therefore conceivable he was probably Yorkshire's first DJ.  Some local groups did play at the ballroom, and it was during this time that Garth joined ‘The Dingos' -who had played there.

The Top Twenty Club

In Idle, on the outskirts of Bradford from 1964 to 1967 was this very popular rock ‘n’ roll venue.  It was managed by Garth Cawood as DJ and compere. 

Many local groups appeared here, as also many of the Top of  The Pop stars of the 1960’s including  Lord Sutch and the Savages, The Kinks, and Tom Jones amongst a host of other stars. When Billy (Wicherly) Fury visited the Top Twenty he often visited his Uncle Ernest Wicherly who was the landlord of The White Bear pub over the road. After the Majestic Dal Stevens did a few DJ nights there.

The Dungeon

In 1964 The Dungeon at 85 Westgate was opened.  It was meant to be a ‘cellar club’ although it was on the ground floor and became famous for its blacked-out windows. Run by Readmore Productions, it was very popular as a venue for local rock ‘n’ roll groups supplemented by many of the star groups of the time. 

These included Long John Baldry his supporting band Bluesology, with a very young pianist still using his original name Reginald Kenneth Dwight (later Elton John). The 'Hoochie Coochie' Band also appeared with Rod Stewart as a group member. 

The Ideal ballroom

Formerly the Ideal Cinema it was transformed into a ballroom in 1934 by Bert Shutt with his wife Edith. Officially the Ideal Ballroom, it was affectionately known as Bert Shutt’s. Situated at Bankfoot, it was very popular in the 1940s and 50s. The décor and furnishings were of high quality and the room was spacious with a large mirrored ball hanging from the ceiling. 

Many resident bands and orchestras played here, but it did not adapt as well as some other Bradford dance halls to the advent of rock ‘n’ roll. Some local groups played here in the late 1950s, but they were not successful.  

Adverse publicity followed with the ‘Battle of Bankfoot’ in 1955 and it never regained its popularity; it was one of the earliest ballrooms to close and reopen for bingo in 1962. After the decline of bingo’s popularity, it finally closed in 1983.

(See pages 67-72 Teddy Boys re: ‘Battle of Bankfoot’ When Bradford Rocked'. 

FOUNTAIN HALL

Fountain Hall was situated on Fountain Street close to John Street Market.  From 1950 it was very successful, particularly for the most serious ballroom dancers with the resident Stanley North Band.  

The venue was also very popular for local staff dances which sometimes included a local rock ‘n’ roll group. However, it was not noted as a venue as a rock ‘n’ roll, and in 1974 it closed. In 1975 it reopened as ‘Gatsby’s’. 

Lakean ballroom

This very popular venue in Shipley was founded in 1941 by Tommy Kean with his wife Edna Lake; they put their surnames together to form the name Lakean.  After a few different locations, it was in 1946 that it settled in new premises in Briggate.

The ballroom was quite large with art deco pillars and static padded seating around the walls, plus a well-positioned large stage. They went on to teach generations of ballroom dancers.

Both Tommy and his wife were professional dance instructors.  In the rock ‘n’ roll era many local groups did play on Friday evenings. Most of the groups who played there said it was great for a rock ‘n’ roll venue,  with a top PA system.