Dancing and romancing in 1960s
Once upon a time a big night out for thousands of Hull people was their Saturday visit to one of the city’s dance halls. They had plenty of choice, for in the years before the Second World War, Hull boasted an amazing 73 of these establishments.
Even after the war many remained open and were still popular. But the days of the palais-de-dance were numbered.
And by the 1960s, in the age of rock’n’roll, times had certainly changed.
In came the new glitzy ballrooms, specially designed to bring not only dancing but the atmosphere of the nightclub.
And in September 1961 Hull celebrated its first of these purpose-built palaces when its new £200,000 Mecca Locarno Ballroom in Ferensway opened with a party attended by 800 people. The star guest was Eric Morley, creator of the Miss World competition, and his wife and civic heads.
With a £4,000 dance floor specially REMEMBER THIS? cushioned and surrounded by luxurious lounges the Locarno, which could cater for up to 2,000 people, brought style and sophistication. It was an immediate huge success.
Dancers stepped out below a ceiling with 1,001 lights to music from London bandleader Ivor Kirchin and his band which played from Wednesday to Sunday on a revolving bandstand similar to that at the London Palladium.
Another West End group, the Steve Maxwell Trio, also provided music.
A well-stocked bar provided refreshment, as did a soft drinks bar, and for those who felt themselves that bit special there was the private Tudor Club.
On Mondays, there was dancing to records and Tuesday saw the Mecca Bingo Club meet, the caller being Fred Ashworth, drummer in the Kirchin band.
On September 16, 1961, ten days after the official opening the Grand Carnival Opening Dance was held with patrons paying eight shillings (40p) to dance from 7.30pm to 11.30pm.
This followed an “at home” on the afternoon the same day.
Also planned were Wednesday afternoon bingo sessions and Monday lunchtime dance sessions.
The Locarno lasted for 11 years before a £250,000 refit saw it become Tiffany’s nightclub in 1972 and then, a decade later, Peppermint Park. This lasted for three years before another change in 1986 saw the creation of Lexington Avenue, which remained open for 18 years until, in 2004, the club went into receivership. The building remained empty until demolition gangs moved in and the site was cleared and the Hilton Doubletree Hotel was built.
Long gone now it may be, but the old Locarno is still fondly remembered by those who danced – and romanced – their evenings away in the early 1960s.