Casino Cafe Opened In Wigan

[Guest Polyvelts]

This is getting ridiculous. It was a disco, albeit a great one, but even 20 what years later . . .it's over. I will make a pigrimage to this 'caff' but only to steal a bottle of milk from its doorway at 8 on a sunday morning.

[Russ Vickers]

A new theme chemist.........

Good idea Ken, but wouldnt it keep getting robbed ????.

Russ

[Guest mel brat]

Black (bombers) pudding and chips...

Yes, I was waiting for the first drugs reference. You just can't bloody resist it can you? Sad, sad, sad...

[Guest]

Good idea Ken, but wouldnt it keep getting robbed ????.

Russ

Yeah, but that's the theme Russ.....if you need anything you've got to break in ....

Edited April 9, 2007 by DelTee

[Russ Vickers]

Yeah, but that's the theme Russ.....if you need anything you've got to break in ....

Hahahahahahahahaahahah.

Russ

[Guest rachel]

Brian

You've missed the point mate...........I loved the Casino, Im not knocking the venue, tho it had its good & bad points, its just the attitude of the people who once looked down on us & the venue locally who now seem to think its a good idea to prosper with a trendy food court, like I said in my initial response there could be a more fitting tribute to the place instead of a naff themed cafe, its a joke & a poor one at that.

Russ

Got to say I think it's very unlikely it's the same people who complained about the Casino then who are now setting up/ approving of the cafe - we are talking about a big town and more than twenty years since it closed, it may seem ironic that the 'town' is now proud of it as part of its heritage but that's often how things go a couple of generations on...

Also think it's likely that any town that's ever had a large nightclub which attracts people from far afield would have groups people who were strongly against it and moved to try and get it closed down.

[Guest]

For those of you interested, there is a link at www.grand-arcade.co.uk, which is the website of the centre's operators. Click on eating and drinking and you get a shot of the cafe.

Yes, it is a bit cheesy, but it is still a work in progress and Russ W is asking for anyone with memorabilia to loan it to the cafe. The giant pictures are nicked from the book Soul Survivors, what I wrote with Russ,. The display case contains holdalls, records, badges, 70s clothes etc. There's even a copy of our book in the display case, with a mug placed in front of my name on the cover!

Oh yeah, and there's also a copy of Frank Wilson on Soul in the display.....so that's where the third copy went! .

Seriously, the cafe is a great idea. It is on the site of the old Casino building and marks what was in its time the greatest club in the world. Why not mark its existence? Here in Manchester the Twisted Wheel is still revered and celebrated, and that pre-dates the Casino by some years! I wish people wouldn't be so sniffy about celebrating famous people and venues. In 30 years time some of you lot may be looking back at Middleton, or Stoke, or Prestatyn and getting all misty-eyed!

Yes, there is some hypocrisy in Wigan seeing as the council and lots of locals hated the Casino, but there is no denying it put Wigan on the map. Go and have a look, it's quite entertaining. And see if you can spot where the entrance to Mr Mr's used to be.....

[Little-stevie]

Well Put Russ Wonder if Wigan Council etc have considered opening a Casino super store where they can sell Adidas Bags Beer Towels- Large sacks of Talc -Amphet-Baggy Trousers..Bowling Shirts..Vests...Tank Tops..Sweat Bands,,wrist and head...Bootleg Lps Cds and 45s those Emboided Badges everyone had stuck on their coats vests and bags..bootleg dvds and vhs tapes etc the list is endless. Oh and the store could open an hall of Fame for Bootleggers! now that would be good who would you recommend as first Bootlegger to be given first place

Not a clue....Can you tell us who you have in mind??????

[Guest Una Scot-Oz]

Well how about this for the main menu....

it was our contribution at a dinner party!

[Sharon Cooper]

Sorry if my comments have already been said elsewhere..Haven't got time to read through the whole thread..Anyway..I just think that its nothing more than a town council jumping onto any old band wagon as is done in loads and loads of places throughout the world. My own home city of Nottingham lives off the Robin Hood legend and to a lesser degree the glory days of Forest.

We went to Missouri a couple of years ago and much is made of the jazz heritage in Kansas city (About 70 miles from where we were staying) with museums and the like. We spent an evening in a jazz museum/themed bar with current live jazz acts which was ace and very well done. I suppose the only thing about the Wigan coffee shop that it will eventually prove to be a bit naff and perhaps run down as a lot of these type of places have a tendancy to be (In keeping with the original place I suppose! and I did go before I get clobbered )

Edited April 10, 2007 by bridget

[Guest biggray1]

Not a clue....Can you tell us who you have in mind??????

Ok mate my first nominee goes too Mr Bootleg Himself Simon Sousann...Think is name is spelt like that now its your turn...dont be afraid..or are you!!

[Steve G]

For those of you interested, there is a link at www.grand-arcade.co.uk, which is the website of the centre's operators. Click on eating and drinking and you get a shot of the cafe.

It looks pleasant enough, but the dancefloor looks a tad on the small side?

[Little-stevie]

Ok mate my first nominee goes too Mr Bootleg Himself Simon Sousann...Think is name is spelt like that now its your turn...dont be afraid..or are you!! :ohmy :

thats for another Topic Big Ray....

..Good points made by Briget...Liverpool hammer the beatles thing still ....Manchester the hacienda and Madchester scene :...London the Queen and the Palace... Birmingham Jasper Carrott : Bradford football ...Leeds Yorkshire Cricket ... Middlesborough Southhampton prostitution ..Blackpool donkey's and them f"cking lights ...Wales male voice choirs and sheep.. Barnsley coal..Sheffield steel and snooker..Scotland tartan and deep fried shite..Ireland the fooking river dance and social drinking Newcastle the tophy cabinet at the Toon

Huddersfield the culture center of Europe,Harold Wilson and one of the best football teams in the world,pretty girls,quality bitter... i

Let Wigan have its pies,Rugby League and keep the faith cafe...

Edited April 10, 2007 by little-stevie

[Guest Bearsy]

thats for another Topic Big Ray....

..Good points made by Briget...Liverpool hammer the beatles thing still ....Manchester the hacienda and Madchester scene :...London the Queen and the Palace Birmingham Jasper Carrott : Bradford football ...Leeds Yorkshire Cricket Middlesborough Southhampton prostitution ..Blackpool donkey's and them f"cking lights ...Wales male voice choirs and sheep.. Barnsley coal..Sheffield steel and snooker..Scotland tartan and deep fried shite..Ireland the fooking river dance and social drinking Newcastle the tophy cabinet at the Toon

Huddersfield the culture center of Europe,Harold Wilson and one of the best football teams in the world,pretty girls,quality bitter... i

Let Wigan have its pies,Rugby League and keep the faith cafe...

I nearly believed you for a moment then Stevie but i think you went a tad too far on this bit

[Guest]

I think it looks lovely!

[Guest Andy BB]

thats for another Topic Big Ray....

..Good points made by Briget...Liverpool hammer the beatles thing still ....Manchester the hacienda and Madchester scene :...London the Queen and the Palace... Birmingham Jasper Carrott : Bradford football ...Leeds Yorkshire Cricket ... Middlesborough Southhampton prostitution ..Blackpool donkey's and them f"cking lights ...Wales male voice choirs and sheep.. Barnsley coal..Sheffield steel and snooker..Scotland tartan and deep fried shite..Ireland the fooking river dance and social drinking Newcastle the tophy cabinet at the Toon

Huddersfield the culture center of Europe,Harold Wilson and one of the best football teams in the world,pretty girls,quality bitter... i

Let Wigan have its pies,Rugby League and keep the faith cafe...

Good point Stevie.

Apparently the indigenous populace of Hastings were mightily peeved when Duke William rode into town and started putting them and theirs to the sword. Oh but what short memories they have, now it's 1066 this, 1066 that... One in the eye opticians, Bayeux Brewery, Leofwines off-licence, William the Concreter...

If they want a cafe in Wigan named after a building in Wigan let them have it.

If they sell Galloways Pies you're all missing out - you big sulkers.

[Guest Simon]

The whole thing is bollocks...............it makes my blood boil, Wigan Council & the rest of the town busy bodies couldnt shut the place down quick enough, you only have to read the articles from the local papers at the time to know what they thought of the Casino & us. Some of you lot have lost the plot, Northern Soul Dinner Dances & themed Cafe's, how very nicey, nicey & that nice Mr Winstanley endorseing the place, well of course he will, any tentative thread to hang on to any kind of kudos from the Casino !!!!. A more fitting way of remembering The Heart of Soul in keeping with the Northern Soul ethos would be great, but a food court, you lot need to get out more.

Russ

Couldn't have put it better myself, sad as f**k & then some!

Simon

[Guest Bearsoul]

For those of you interested, there is a link at www.grand-arcade.co.uk, which is the website of the centre's operators. Click on eating and drinking and you get a shot of the cafe.

Yes, it is a bit cheesy, but it is still a work in progress and Russ W is asking for anyone with memorabilia to loan it to the cafe. The giant pictures are nicked from the book Soul Survivors, what I wrote with Russ,. The display case contains holdalls, records, badges, 70s clothes etc. There's even a copy of our book in the display case, with a mug placed in front of my name on the cover!

Oh yeah, and there's also a copy of Frank Wilson on Soul in the display.....so that's where the third copy went! .

Seriously, the cafe is a great idea. It is on the site of the old Casino building and marks what was in its time the greatest club in the world. Why not mark its existence? Here in Manchester the Twisted Wheel is still revered and celebrated, and that pre-dates the Casino by some years! I wish people wouldn't be so sniffy about celebrating famous people and venues. In 30 years time some of you lot may be looking back at Middleton, or Stoke, or Prestatyn and getting all misty-eyed!

Yes, there is some hypocrisy in Wigan seeing as the council and lots of locals hated the Casino, but there is no denying it put Wigan on the map. Go and have a look, it's quite entertaining. And see if you can spot where the entrance to Mr Mr's used to be.....

THANKS THAT'S SAVED ME BUS-FARE TO WIGAN ..NAFFS THE WORD !

[Guest]

For me it would hold no attraction but, and it's a big but! If some youngsters having a drink in there were to ask the question what was it all about, then it may just tickle there interest into listening to the music.

That has to be good.

7ts

[Guest Brian J]

Just to add another note about Wigan's acknowledgement of the scene,

there's also a large metal sign about 8 feet square, on one of the main roundabouts just as you come off the M6.

It has the words Northern Soul cut out in large letters, along with images of two dancers.

[Guest]

I really can't understand why some of you are so horrible about this... the poor owner has probably put a lot of time and money into this venture. Why can't you all just wish him luck?

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

not a bad idea maybe we could vist and on the menu for a pudding how about a sugar dumpling.

[BrianB]

Ok mate my first nominee goes too Mr Bootleg Himself Simon Sousann...Think is name is spelt like that now its your turn...dont be afraid..or are you!!

Boots were around for 5/6 years on the northern scene prior to Mr Soussan's appearance, and first surfaced on the Soul Sounds label (I believe Alexander Patton was the first?)

As for the rest of the negative comments, God help us if anyone on here tries to go into business or change anyone's opinion on something that happened years ago.

I can't wait for the next new NS venue or all nighter to open. I expect everyone to come out with the same comments of baggy jeans, beer towels, drugs, selling bootlegs, jumping on the bandwagon, etc.

What a bloody miserable lot you are. If you are the future of our scene I give up!

[45cellar]

Dear me, there's a lot of tetchiness about on here, have you all had too many 'e' numbers in your Easter Eggs

It's certainly an unusual concept, theming a cafe on a nightclub, don't know of anywhere else that's been 'celebrated' like that!

Hi Rachel

Hopefully It will dawn on the masses that there is a lot more to our scene than Wigans Ovasion & Wigans Chosen Few.

It's got to be a positive move, surely.

[Guest]

Boots were around for 5/6 years on the northern scene prior to Mr Soussan's appearance, and first surfaced on the Soul Sounds label (I believe Alexander Patton was the first?)

As for the rest of the negative comments, God help us if anyone on here tries to go into business or change anyone's opinion on something that happened years ago.

I can't wait for the next new NS venue or all nighter to open. I expect everyone to come out with the same comments of baggy jeans, beer towels, drugs, selling bootlegs, jumping on the bandwagon, etc.

What a bloody miserable lot you are. If you are the future of our scene I give up!

Here here

[Guest]

I really can't understand why some of you are so horrible about this... the poor owner has probably put a lot of time and money into this venture. Why can't you all just wish him luck?

Good point

But it isn't just a small businessman's venture, it's part of the overall scheme put in place by the developers. Major franchisers will be in there- Costa coffee, BB's etc

The hysterical anti-Casino brigade on this site are missing the point - the Casino was a major part of many people's lives in Wigan. People who are now in their 70s and 80s used to go to that place when it was the Emp or Palais de Dance before Northern Soul wasn't even known or heard of. It is only right and fair that the building's existence is marked.

Personally, I'm looking forward to Lowton this Friday - I wonder if many people on here would moan if in the future there was a plaque put up to mark Lowton's demise? Let RussW have his moment once more - we've all moved on. But don't ignore the past. Everything the Casino (and the Mecca, Wheel etc) achieved makes the scene what it is now. This scene didn't start in 1983, you know

[Baz Atkinson]

IF THIS IS GIVING LOCAL PEOPLE JOBS THEN THATS A GOOD THING,AS FOR ITS CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE NOT SO SURE.

THE PLACE HAD SO MANY CLICHES THATS WHY YOU GET THE CYNICISM,AND RIGHTLY SO REALLY,SOUL THEMED BARS ARE NOTHING NEW PARTICULARY IN EUROPE ETC.

MY OVERALL FEELING IS THAT WIGAN IS SHUT AND DEAD AND BURIED AND THE SCENE HAS MOVED ON INSUMMOUNTABLY SINCE THEN,THE MUSIC ,THE KNOWLEDGE,THE ENERGY LEVEL,THE INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE ETC.

THE CASINO WAS MY RIGHT OF PASSAGE,HOWEVER IT WAS THE EIGHTIES AND EARLY NINETIES WHEN I REALLY FELY PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL IE THE SMALLER CLUBS AND NO BULLSHIT,JUST A LOVE AND AFFINITY FOR THE BEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD.

AS APARTING SHOT IF THERE EVER MADE A FILM ABOUT THE CASINO I WOULD OF LOVED WOODY ALLEN TO PLAY RUSS WINSTANLEY[sUMS IT ALL UP REALLY.

BAZ A.

[Guest biggray1]

Boots were around for 5/6 years on the northern scene prior to Mr Soussan's appearance, and first surfaced on the Soul Sounds label (I believe Alexander Patton was the first?)

As for the rest of the negative comments, God help us if anyone on here tries to go into business or change anyone's opinion on something that happened years ago.

I can't wait for the next new NS venue or all nighter to open. I expect everyone to come out with the same comments of baggy jeans, beer towels, drugs, selling bootlegs, jumping on the bandwagon, etc.

What a bloody miserable lot you are. If you are the future of our scene I give up!

Hi Brian,thanx for your reply..Firstly i nominated Simon sousan because he flooded the scene with his bootlegs more than anyone,he was normaly seen selling out of the Boot of his car at venues all over the Uk..Then ofcourse Dj Dealers advertised Mr Sousans whares for sale in all the National Mags etc..Do You Know of anyone bigger...Feel free to answer because all the Companys and indiveduals who took it on them selfs to have Bootleg Lps Cds etc pressed are well documented in many Mags Websites Forums etc so dont worry about Law suits etc,the Bootleggers shadey history is to far gone!

Our Scene i give up!!! hope many more people give up.The scene needs to go back too its roots,it dont want putin in the Hands of Corperations and Record company or Tv&RADIO etc..It needs to go back not step forward..The Advertising of our scene is at an all time high,fedup with fellow soulies complaining about too many oldies..too much Modern..not enough 70s..80s..to much seventys...Phew its all getting outa hand..My soulution..Cant make me mind up..Think I'll have a ride up to the Casino Cafe listening to Kev Roberts radio and his KRL advertisment show..THIS SHOULD MAKE ME MIND UP I'M SURE...Gray

[Guest moggy]

thats for another Topic Big Ray....

..Good points made by Briget...Liverpool hammer the beatles thing still ....Manchester the hacienda and Madchester scene :...London the Queen and the Palace... Birmingham Jasper Carrott : Bradford football ...Leeds Yorkshire Cricket ... Middlesborough Southhampton prostitution ..Blackpool donkey's and them f"cking lights ...Wales male voice choirs and sheep.. Barnsley coal..Sheffield steel and snooker..Scotland tartan and deep fried shite..Ireland the fooking river dance and social drinking Newcastle the tophy cabinet at the Toon

Huddersfield the culture center of Europe,Harold Wilson and one of the best football teams in the world,pretty girls,quality bitter... i

Let Wigan have its pies,Rugby League and keep the faith cafe...

Birmingham Jasper Carrott, said in jest me thinks, but hey what a chuffin choon Funky Moped , must be on every one wants list, backed by the wonderful flip Magic Rounabout, rare as rockin horse s**t never seen one on Manships site

seriously though, the only thing Wigan on that photo is the sign, so why did anyone need to seek advise, lots of old photos in books and DVD etc would have given you enough ideas if its only for a cafe, maybe the investors were thinking that, if they link Russ W with it, it may attract the sort of publicty that would encourage many from the older fraternity to may be go and have a peruso, (no I didnt think so)

But there must be an awful lot of people out there, who missed out on the Casino, not old enough etc, who maybe feel they have unfilled gap in there years of being in to soul, there must be folk who just visit Wigan to see the old site (the hallowed Turf/ car park) well now they can go and have a cuppa as well, and if asked did you ever go to Wigan they can now say yes or is that cheating,

[Guest]

Also, although it's not exactly a museum, it is a little bit. Museums do nothing more than remember what's past and this is no different. No one complains about museums do they? It's not for 'current' soulies so to speak, it's for the education (if I can use that word) of people who may never have known about it at all. After all, it's already on Wikapedia in digital form which is a kind of online museum/encyclopaedia (sp)

[Barry]

It's just a cafe ffs, what are you all getting your knickers in a twist about?

In one! - better than 'Vera's Egg n Tea Bar'.

It's a sweet look back, that sells brekkies,end of.

Good luck to 'em.

[SteveM]

Museums do nothing more than remember what's past and this is no different.

Bit of an understatement imo, but still.....

The cafe is a commercial proposition one would assume. So its no different from the rock and roll themed establishments popular a good few years ago. Why it should arouse such feelings one way or the other seems a bit odd to me. Unless of course its Winstanleys input.

Mind you, it gave Dave another chance to plug his book on SS again

[Guest]

Bit of an understatement imo, but still.....

The cafe is a commercial proposition one would assume. So its no different from the rock and roll themed establishments popular a good few years ago. Why it should arouse such feelings one way or the other seems a bit odd to me. Unless of course its Winstanleys input.

Mind you, it gave Dave another chance to plug his book on SS again

The book is history.....

A bit like the Casino!

I mentioned it only in the context of the strategic placing of the mug in front of my name (see my initial post). I'm sure it was an accident.......

[Shaun W]

Also, although it's not exactly a museum, it is a little bit. Museums do nothing more than remember what's past and this is no different. No one complains about museums do they? It's not for 'current' soulies so to speak, it's for the education (if I can use that word) of people who may never have known about it at all. After all, it's already on Wikapedia in digital form which is a kind of online museum/encyclopaedia (sp)

Museums certainly do have eductional value and were we to have a museum of poular youth culture then the Northern / Rare scene would certainly be a feature. However, I hadn''t really considered a cafe to be an educational facility. Perhaps I'm just blinkered.

[Steve G]

I really can't understand why some of you are so horrible about this... the poor owner has probably put a lot of time and money into this venture. Why can't you all just wish him luck?

Soulgirl, I find myself rather oddly agreeing with you for once. I am not really fussed at all about this. And a coffee bar in memory of the place is better than it just being a wasteland. All jokes aside good luck to them - it is highly unlikely that Mrs G or myself will be visiting this arcade anyways.

I think it's the Russ factor that causes such negative reaction more than anything, and this constant desire to live in the past.

[Guest]

and this constant desire to live in the past.

Don't we all though? I mean, reminiscing is such a big part of all of our lives

[Guest James Trouble]

I hardly think it matters one way or the other, does it?

But maybe it seems more like a tombstone than a museum? Perhaps that's what is upsetting some poeple? As much as we'd all like to think that someone will care enough about us when we die to put a tombstone over our dead body, we hardly want to see our tombstone up and ready when we are still very much alive and kicking.

But then again, it's a just a cafe.

So what was this Casino place like then?

Edited April 11, 2007 by James Trouble

[Barry]

I hardly think it matters one way or the other, does it?

But maybe it seems more like a tombstone than a museum? Perhaps that's what is upsetting some poeple? As much as we'd all like to think that someone will care enough about us when we die to put a tombstone over our dead body, we hardly want to see our tombstone up and ready when we are still very much alive and kicking.

But then again, it's a just a cafe.

So what was this Casino place like then?

It did cracking pies.

[SteveM]

So what was this Casino place like then?

Not as good as the Mecca ! (Copyright Mel Brat 2007 )

[Billywhizz]

IF THIS IS GIVING LOCAL PEOPLE JOBS THEN THATS A GOOD THING,AS FOR ITS CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE NOT SO SURE.

THE PLACE HAD SO MANY CLICHES THATS WHY YOU GET THE CYNICISM,AND RIGHTLY SO REALLY,SOUL THEMED BARS ARE NOTHING NEW PARTICULARY IN EUROPE ETC.

MY OVERALL FEELING IS THAT WIGAN IS SHUT AND DEAD AND BURIED AND THE SCENE HAS MOVED ON INSUMMOUNTABLY SINCE THEN,THE MUSIC ,THE KNOWLEDGE,THE ENERGY LEVEL,THE INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE ETC.

THE CASINO WAS MY RIGHT OF PASSAGE,HOWEVER IT WAS THE EIGHTIES AND EARLY NINETIES WHEN I REALLY FELY PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL IE THE SMALLER CLUBS AND NO BULLSHIT,JUST A LOVE AND AFFINITY FOR THE BEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD.

AS APARTING SHOT IF THERE EVER MADE A FILM ABOUT THE CASINO I WOULD OF LOVED WOODY ALLEN TO PLAY RUSS WINSTANLEY[sUMS IT ALL UP REALLY.

BAZ A.

Hang on baz a ur talking about andy bb godfather here please chose ur words wisely i think russ is ok.

Billy

[Guest vinylvixen]

opening up a cafe called the casino cafe has to be a gamble in itself .

well i for one would give it a visit if i ever feel the need to go to wigan for anything, tea and scones anyone ,

Bearsy, we could buy Andy Snacks in Rochester and rename it Bogarts Diner. Do you think it would catch on The only thing I can remember eating or drinking during daylight in Wigan was sterillised milk straight out of the bottle after the Casino finished in the morning ..... there was a newsagents open on the way to the Municipal Baths were i'd go to watch the lads in their hired Corporation Green trunks So if they serve sterry milk in this new gaff, I'm there.... Jo

[Russ Vickers]

Boots were around for 5/6 years on the northern scene prior to Mr Soussan's appearance, and first surfaced on the Soul Sounds label (I believe Alexander Patton was the first?)

As for the rest of the negative comments, God help us if anyone on here tries to go into business or change anyone's opinion on something that happened years ago.

I can't wait for the next new NS venue or all nighter to open. I expect everyone to come out with the same comments of baggy jeans, beer towels, drugs, selling bootlegs, jumping on the bandwagon, etc.

What a bloody miserable lot you are. If you are the future of our scene I give up!

Brian

At the risk of repeating myself, my comments were not a reflection on the Casino as a venue. I loved Wigan Casino with a passion.

But its gone, its legacy is undeniable, the good & the bad, but its gone, I just get sick of hearing people constantly hankering back to those days at every opportunity. The scene is about the music, the venue is just a vessel for us to hear the music thru the DJ's.

The point I was making was that IMHO I think the cafe is degrading to the memory of such a legendary venue, it trivialises & soils the memories, I cant even really put into words how it makes me feel to think that some people will visit this sight thinking that the atmosphere this place creates about WC is what it was all about............they'll never get it from this.............people like you Karen who never went cant even begin to imagine what this place meant, it wasnt just another venue, Im not ashamed to say that every Sunday morning I would shed tears as the notes of the last record faded, for many years it was a massive part of my life, its just another way that society cleanses history & presents it in a modified exceptable form to feed to the unwashed masses.

I really dont care about the Cafe.........my memories are quite safe, it saddens me tho to think that others not old enough to have attended will never know from this oportunistic venture the atmosphere & passion for soul that once ebbed thru this sight..............enjoy your tea & scones luvvies, Im not ready for the sanatized version of Northern Soul just yet thank you, I want the scene to continue in a progressive vibrant way, not live on past glories, that have been rewritten to suit the fading memories of certain people, promoters & DJ's.

Love, Peace & Soulfulness

Russ

[Guest]

So what should it be then Russ? Forget it ever existed? Never mention its hallowed name again? You're being ridiculous.

I find your comment about me never visiting rather insulting. I can imagine very well what it was like and what it meant/means to people which is why I can't even begin to comprehend why many are voicing such a vehement defense about the place.

You're right, I didn't visit - a 600 mile round trip for a 14 year old just wasn't a practicable journey on ones own - to my sadness.

On the one hand you say it's wrong, then spout off about how sad you are to think that others who didn't visit will never know about the atmosphere and passion. It's a tad ambiguous really. It's not about fading memories, it's about history. If it weren't important no one here would keep mentioning it, it would be ensconced in their own personal memories never to be uttered out loud.

You're really saying that any memory, of anything, soils ones own memories. It can't just pertain to Northern Soul or more precisely, Wigan Casino can it?

What's so bloody wrong with memory lane? It doesn't hamper progression, it adds to the colourful history that helps drive it forward. After all, without memories and passion we wouldn't be here discussing Northern Soul today - it would have died years ago.

[Guest Bearsy]

Bearsy, we could buy Andy Snacks in Rochester and rename it Bogarts Diner. Do you think it would catch on The only thing I can remember eating or drinking during daylight in Wigan was sterillised milk straight out of the bottle after the Casino finished in the morning ..... there was a newsagents open on the way to the Municipal Baths were i'd go to watch the lads in their hired Corporation Green trunks So if they serve sterry milk in this new gaff, I'm there.... Jo

Jo when are you going to realise that Bogarts finished 20 odd years ago and since then we have all moved on .

[SteveM]

So what should it be then Russ? Forget it ever existed? Never mention its hallowed name again? You're being ridiculous.

I find your comment about me never visiting rather insulting. I can imagine very well what it was like and what it meant/means to people which is why I can't even begin to comprehend why many are voicing such a vehement defense about the place.

You're right, I didn't visit - a 600 mile round trip for a 14 year old just wasn't a practicable journey on ones own - to my sadness.

On the one hand you say it's wrong, then spout off about how sad you are to think that others who didn't visit will never know about the atmosphere and passion. It's a tad ambiguous really. It's not about fading memories, it's about history. If it weren't important no one here would keep mentioning it, it would be ensconced in their own personal memories never to be uttered out loud.

You're really saying that any memory, of anything, soils ones own memories. It can't just pertain to Northern Soul or more precisely, Wigan Casino can it?

What's so bloody wrong with memory lane? It doesn't hamper progression, it adds to the colourful history that helps drive it forward. After all, without memories and passion we wouldn't be here discussing Northern Soul today - it would have died years ago.

The cafe has nothing to do with the Casino per se. Its a theme Bar, pure and simple. It should have "memorabilia" on the nighter, because thats its theme. People wwill go there to eat and drink, not relive the past.

Its not a museum, the educational kind, where you could, if you so wished, read and look at photos etc. Where it might hve some value.(Even then, that as well, as Russ has said, would be at the mercy of revisionists.)

Someone has opened it to make money, and good luck to them. As a thread, its interesting. Its relationship to today is however, tenuos. And no testimonial from RW is going to give it any credibility. IMO anyway.

[Dave Rimmer]

The cafe has nothing to do with the Casino per se. Its a theme Bar, pure and simple.

Someone has opened it to make money, and good luck to them. As a thread, its interesting. Its relationship to today is however, tenuos.

So right Steve

Let's face it, if you were the company who set the arcade up, and wanted it to look nice, have a local connection, and not be called 'Le Cafe' or some other such crap, in Wigan you have four choices.

1. Casino Cafe

2. Wigan Pier Eatery

3. Uncle Joe's Emporium (and this one has a lot more relevance to people from Wigan than the Casino cafe does actually)

4. Central Park Cafe (and this is probably the most relevant of the lot !!!!)

I'm sorry but Wigan isn't famous for anything else, unless you count Holland's Pies

They happened to choose Casino Cafe for the name and theme of their cafe. End of story. Yes it was a commercial decision, which people in Wigan, who will be the ones using the cafe, are probably quite happy with.

Why get upset about it !

[Guest Simon]

This thread is quite an eye opener, i think it shows the different idea of what people view as Northern soul.

You've got one corner who find this whole project crass, tacky & a money spinner off of the back of the name of Northern Soul & the other corner who are quite happy for the name of Northern Soul to become a fast food, Winstanley burger & chips to go laughing stock.

This might only be about one building but for me it's just another example of the mass commercialisation of Northern Soul at any cost & for me it's becoming a tad embarrasing telling people i'm into Northern Soul if they associate it with this kind of thing.

IMO certain people don't care how they sullie the name of Northern Soul as long as their name is up in lights & they're making a few bob out of it.

Simon :angry:

[Guest]

Will it sell Pie`s from the "pie disco demand" series.............

[Russ Vickers]

So what should it be then Russ? Forget it ever existed? Never mention its hallowed name again? You're being ridiculous.

I find your comment about me never visiting rather insulting. I can imagine very well what it was like and what it meant/means to people which is why I can't even begin to comprehend why many are voicing such a vehement defense about the place.

You're right, I didn't visit - a 600 mile round trip for a 14 year old just wasn't a practicable journey on ones own - to my sadness.

On the one hand you say it's wrong, then spout off about how sad you are to think that others who didn't visit will never know about the atmosphere and passion. It's a tad ambiguous really. It's not about fading memories, it's about history. If it weren't important no one here would keep mentioning it, it would be ensconced in their own personal memories never to be uttered out loud.

You're really saying that any memory, of anything, soils ones own memories. It can't just pertain to Northern Soul or more precisely, Wigan Casino can it?

What's so bloody wrong with memory lane? It doesn't hamper progression, it adds to the colourful history that helps drive it forward. After all, without memories and passion we wouldn't be here discussing Northern Soul today - it would have died years ago.

This is getting quite ridiculous & some what boring zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........there was no personal attack on you intended Karen (& BTW I made the journey as a 15 year old.........altho' I quite see your point).

If you guys wanna sit in the Casino Cafe with your tea & scones talking about old times, then fill your wellies, I really dont care.

I think you have completely missed the point for god knows how many times & it seems that no matter how many times I try to clarify, you guys are intent on your own agenda, Im losing the will to live with regards this thread so, hey if it means that much to you I'll leave you all to it.................BTW if anyone ever does a completely unbiased & honest, permanent exibition about the venue, I would love to visit.

BTW As a parting comment, I disagree with your if it wasnt for the 'oldies' the scene would have died years ago statement, in fact if it wasnt for the 'real' NS scene continuing to do what they always had, despite the handbaggers having disappeared in droves cos NS wasnt the 'in' thing any more, we probably wouldnt have a scene any more. Keep the Faith Karen & stop taking things so personally................its only a Cafe after all.....................byeeeeeeeeeeeeee enjoy yourselfs.

Simon, agree with your last post completly, some people just dont want to get it.

Russ

Edited April 11, 2007 by Russ Vickers

[SteveM]

This thread is quite an eye opener, i think it shows the different idea of what people view as Northern soul.

You've got one corner who find this whole project crass, tacky & a money spinner off of the back of the name of Northern Soul & the other corner who are quite happy for the name of Northern Soul to become a fast food, Winstanley burger & chips to go laughing stock.

This might only be about one building but for me it's just another example of the mass commercialisation of Northern Soul at any cost & for me it's becoming a tad embarrasing telling people i'm into Northern Soul if they associate it with this kind of thing.

IMO certain people don't care how they sullie the name of Northern Soul as long as their name is up in lights & they're making a few bob out of it.

Simon :angry:

But as Dave says Simon, the clientele will be mostly local, so why is it mass commercialisation ? I can't see it being advertised nationally. Isn't it just a local theme ?

As for crass and tacky, look at the majority of theme bars in the UK. Meadowhall in Sheffield had a "Grease" themed restaurant for a number of years. I can't remember any old Teddy Boys geting worked up about it.

As a matter of interest, how many people from outside the Wigan area would travel to go to it ? And why ?

PS Simon. Say "Rare Soul", and rather than take the p*ss, their eyes glaze over. They do where I live anyway. Saves on beer towel and baggy trouser jokes

Edited April 11, 2007 by SteveM