Last push to unearth reno

CAMPAIGNERS are making a final push to land a prestigious award for a heritage project celebrating a famous Moss Side soul and funk club which became a sanctuary against racism.

The Reno, a basement nightclub which played rare records imported from America, opened in 1962 and was initially used as a Salvation Army hostel for African seamen.

It became a sanctuary from racism for 1950s-born mixed heritage people in the 1970s when they weren’t welcome anywhere else.

Muhammad Ali is said to have gone there. Tony Wilson supposedly had his stag party there. Even Bob Marley is rumoured to have visited.

It closed and the plot where it stood at the corner of Moss Lane East and Princess Road was grassed over.

But memories lingered and one of its patrons, playwright Linda Brogan, began a campaign.

In 2017, excavation began on the site thanks to funding from the Arts Council but now the project, dubbed Excavating The Reno, is one of seven UK finalists for a National Lottery award which also comes with £5,000. The deadline for voting is midnight tonight.

It faces stiff competition including from a postal museum in London, a tall ship project in Blyth and a floating museum aboard a First World War vessel in Belfast.

The Reno project uses oral history and archaeology to tell the story of the iconic club.

To vote for Excavating The Reno log onto http://www. lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/project/ excavating-reno or call 0844 836 9699.