‘Inset had a fearsome reputation!’

It may have been small but the Inset, Stoke, was a club with a big personality and a reputation which went before it. We’ve been hearing from those of you who enjoyed a night or two at the Liverpool Road nightspot .....

Saturday May 30, 2020

WE in North Staffordshire have been lucky to have had some memorable – even nationally renowned – clubs down the years. From Jollees and The Place to Top Rank and The Void, there have been plenty of venues which made their name pulling in the big acts and the big crowds.

However, there have been many more across the region which we knew, loved and remember fondly for great nights out.

One such venue which still lives long in many memories is The Inset, which sadly closed its doors more than 30 years ago.

The small Stoke club on Liverpool Road is now part of the Spode Museum, but was a firm favourite for many during its heyday.

It had a reputation as a fearsome place, popular with punk rockers, where you could get a drink from Bunty’s bar named after one of its managers.

The Inset is perhaps one of the lesser known Potteries clubs but there are those of you who were regulars and loved its full-on personality, who have been flocking to our Stoke-on-trent and North Staffordshire Facebook page to share your memories.

“Went a couple of times. Always remember the dance floor below the two steps was not very big, though.” GEOFF BROWNSWORD

“Used to go there with my late husband after he finishing working at Top Rank as a bouncer.”

JENNI GWINNETH

“Spent many a night there during my misspent youth”

MICHAEL J SHAW

“Used to play there most weeks with

Buddy, a soul funk band. Loved the Inset.”

TERRY BOLDERSON

“My mate John White used to be manager there.”

WINSTON JONES

“I remember the Inset when Bob Broomhall was the guy running it. It was a bit like Gunfight at the OK Corral at times but I enjoyed going there.” STEPHEN LEE SAMPSON

“My husband’s dad, John Ferris, was the manager and his mum, Margaret, ran the bar. She was known as Bunty, as seen on the matches - Bunty’s Bar. He also remembers the doormen, Kenny Stevens, Brom and Jimmy Mack.” BEVERLEY FERRIS

“Lots of good nights spent there. Your feet used to stick to the carpet there was that much beer spilled.

VALERIE BROWN

“My sister and her partner ran it for a while – John Ferris. They were such characters. John looked the image of the famous botanist David Bellamy and drew the crowds when he pretended to stare at animals or plants. Bunty died some years ago. I would love to know what happened to John?”

EDITH HINDMOOR

“I used the place quite a lot from around 1973 to 1975. John Woodcock was manager and Ron Crutchley and Alan Bowen were on the door. Had some great nights there.”

CYRIL BRERETON

“I went there when they had a couple of punk nights back in 1978. The Inset had a fearsome reputation! Punk nights were good, though.”

MAXIMUS BRAUN

Posters taken fron the walls of the Inset which closed in the late 1980s. Readers have been sharing their memories.