A bright night spot for stars

THE place was packed to capacity. They had come from across northern Lincolnshire and beyond, all lured by the bright lights, the food and the star-name entertainment. Grant Street, Cleethorpes, had not witnessed scenes like these for years, probably not since it ceased to be the home of the Theatre Royal.

But now it welcomed a new style of entertainment. For the date was May 12, 1975. And the event which caused all the excitement was the opening of Bunny’s Place.

The star that opening night was comedian Frankie Howerd and his appearance marked the beginning of what was to be a golden era for the local entertainment scene. Bunny’s Place, like its owner, former trawler skipper Bunny Newton, was larger than life. It was big, it was bold and it was reasonably priced, offering top-class entertainment in an area which had not seen much of that over the years.

The Telegraph of the day summed it up: “It will surely rival established clubs such as Sheffield, Batley and Wakefield...”

Then the Theatre Royal had been a magnet for local audiences. The building also achieved a very different mention in local history. For it was there that members of the Manchester Regiment were billeted after a German Zeppelin raid in the First World War wrecked their base in the Baptist Chapel, Alexandra Road, killing 31 men.

But when variety theatre died away, the theatre became a bowling alley and later the Clifton Bingo Hall.

Then came Bunny’s Place.

Bunny Newton was well-known in Grimsby and much further afield for his seagoing adventures, particularly during the Cod Wars. He said of his club: “There is enough gloom in the world today. Bunny’s Place is going to be at least one great big bright spot.”

And so it was. A glance through some of the first artistes to appear there proves the point – Clodagh Rodgers, Norman Wisdom, the Black Abbots, Dana, Bruce Forsyth, George Melly and Colin Crompton.

For stars of that sort the admission was, certainly by today’s standards, cheap.

To join cost you £1 or, for a couple, £1.50p. Entry fees were: Monday to Thursday, members £1.85, non-members, £2.10; Friday, members £2.25, non-members £2.50; Saturday (including three course meal), members £3.50, non-members, £3.75.

Bruce Forsyth gives Tetney golfer Mr George Taylor a demonstrationRight, Eartha Kitt, who performed at Bunny’s Place in Grant Street, Cleethorpes in October 1975.

French singing star Charles Aznavour is pictured with Bernard (Bunny) Newton and his wife Kay. The photograph was almost certainly taken in the late seventies at Bunny’s Place, the club opened by the highly successful skipper in Grant Street, Cleethorpes. Over a period of several years Bunny attracted some of the top names in showbusiness to the club. It later became the Clifton Bingo Club.

All smiles on the opening night from Frankie Howerd, with Mr and Mrs Bunny Newton and their son Cliff at Bunny’s Place, Cleethorpes, in May 1975.

The main auditorium awaits its patrons at Bunny’s Place in Grant Street, Cleethorpes.