20 scenes of Blackpool dance centre Locarno Mecca through Ballroom, Northern Soul and 1990s Rave
It was at the heart of dancing for generations.
By Claire Lark
Published 22nd May 2023, 15:45 BST
Updated 22nd May 2023, 16:05 BST
With its revolving stage, the Mecca Ballroom opened in 1965 as the Locarno and through the following 30 or 40 years it reinvented itself to reflect the ever changing music scene. Remember The Highland Room? It was one of Northern Soul’s top venues in the whole of the North West. DJs included Tony Jebb, Stuart Freeman and during the week, Billy the Kid. Other DJ were Ian Levine and Colin Curtis. At the end of the 1970s it was renamed Tiffany’s and in the later years became Rhythm Dome Nightclub, home to Federation. It was a pivotal moment in the music scene as influential house and rave music took hold in the 90s. It was the end of an era, however, when it was demolished in 2009.
Plenty of other events were staged there including Miss United Kingdom final, 1968. Pictured are Lisa Robertshaw, Kathleen Winstanley and Marie Smith Photo: staff
Sections from the Highland Room dance floor were sold off to the public at the Grundy Art Gallery. Northern Soul Fans were among the buyers Photo: submit
And Mecca was used for other purposes too. This was prime minister Edward Heath addressing young conservatives at their North West Area Young Conservatives Ball in 1972 Photo: Submit