IT’S far from over, and the doors remain open, but news that The Kingsway could be replaced by apartments prompted a nostalgic archive hunt.
On its inception, the famous nightspot was known as The Kingsway Casino and was run by gambling magnate Mr George James.
George James came to Southport after returning with his family, penniless, to his home town of Port Talbot in South Wales.
He had gambled away his money in London and was forced to start afresh.
But the vice that cost him so much turned to be the making of him when gambling laws were relaxed in 1961.
He immediately focused on establishing The Casino Club in Port Talbot, bringing huge success, and modelled on the seemingly altruistic mantra of a man who’s had plenty of experience on the other side of the croupier’s table.
At the time, and possibly with a glance over his shoulder at the Free Church Council who opposed the venture, Mr James said: “We don’t cater for people who want to come in and lose their pay packets.
“We want no-one to get out of their depth. People are not encouraged to go into the gaming room, but the facilities are there if they require them.
“We want people to enjoy themselves, for this is entertainment where a man and his wife can come to town with five pounds in their pockets, have a meal, a few drinks, dance and see a show and still have a couple of pounds left.
“If they want to try their luck in the gaming room with what remains they might lose their two pounds or on the other hand they might win enough to more than pay for the evening out.”
It was a philosophy that worked, and a year later the Prince of Wales club opened in Cardiff, followed by the Charlie Chester Casino Club in Piccadilly, London, the Casino Club, again in Cardiff, and culminating in the biggest venture – Southport’s Kingsway Casino Club.
Offering a 2,000 seat restaurant and three floor shows a night with international stars such as Adam Faith and Sandie Shaw, huge success quickly followed.
Gaming would start at 2pm and continue until 7am, with blackjack, roulette, dice and poker keeping the tables busy and the money rolling in.
Unsatisfied, George bought out the failing 2,000 seat Grand Cinema on Lord Street and swiftly transformed it into another haven for gamblers, with a casino, bingo hall and amusement arcade.
The business passed into George’s son, John’s hands and the Grand remains a casino to this day.
What do you remember about the Kingsway, and what part did it play in your life? Call LookBack on 01704- 398225 for a future feature if demolition plans get the green light
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James McCabe wrote...
My late father Brian Douglas McCabe was an International Employment Agent during the period that John James used to own the Kingsway. Tom Jones played there as well as many others.
My father was a private pilot and had an excellent IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) Rating which meant he could fly at night or in bad weather on instruments. He told me John James used to like to fly with him in his twin Piper light aircraft, as he felt safer!
Personally, In my clubbing days throughout the 90's, the Kingsway was always the place we would end up. A group of between 20 and 30 of us would always meet up in there. People would come from miles around the North West for a night out there.
Some of the guys used to park their motors across the road and take girls there to show them the back seats for some reason?! One in particular readers might remember was a real 'Pickup' vehicle a white replica Sierra RS Cosworth. The owner of which is a dj in one of the towns clubs!
Then there was the Berlin Bar below the Kingsway, those were great times too! Some really fun characters would go there and a great time was more often than not guarenteed and had by all. Roy Adams grooves were the coolest in town in those days!
It would be a shame to see it go as it is the heritage of all those up and comings to follow. However just like the Pleasureland and the Open Air Sea Bathing Lake have been removed for real estate development, all good things must come to an end.
I used to love hearing stories from my father and his friends about the Kingsway. And so when I was old enough to go in I could see where these things had happened. Stories of antics in other places that had been pulled down before I was of age just had to be left to my imagination and didn't have the same impact.
Unfortunately, I think its days will be numbered. I was in there a couple of weekends ago on a visit back to the town, and it has certainly lost its appeal for me, but thats probably just an age thing and nostalgia or a sign of the times!
Regards
James McCabe
Posted by: James McCabe | March 20, 2007 12:37 PM