Just wondering what was there before the most ugly bit of Sheffield was built. Anything like the streets and side on the quay side in Newcastle sweeping down to the bus station bit?

norfolk street, ran right down to the bus station, IIRC... have a look on Picture sheffield for what it was like before the Roxy! (hence the sheffield sayin "Tha's got a face as long as Norfolk St, 'sup wi thi?"

the pics of the norfolk st area start here:-

http://www.picturesheffield.co.uk/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl

Hi PT

Can't access the photos without password and email address being given so not seen them.

However, I think the original dance place was the Top Rank as I can't recall anything there before that. Then came Steely's followed by the Roxy. I think when it was Roxy's it was owned by Barry Noble, but not sure.

There is another thread which you might find of interest in the History and Expats about the Rank

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141848

It's mostly from people who used to go or work there (like my husband and myself).

I had heard recently they are thinking of demolishing the building, but with the NCP Car Park underneath, it might be rather a big job, unless the car park is going too!!

I nearly forgot, the buildign was never a cinema, that was the bingo round the back just off Fitzalan Square. It used to be an Odeon in the mid 60's.

Hi PT

Can't access the photos without password and email address being given so not seen them.

However, I think the original dance place was the Top Rank as I can't recall anything there before that. Then came Steely's followed by the Roxy. I think when it was Roxy's it was owned by Barry Noble, but not sure.

There is another thread which you might find of interest in the History and Expats about the Rank

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141848

It's mostly from people who used to go or work there (like my husband and myself).

I had heard recently they are thinking of demolishing the building, but with the NCP Car Park underneath, it might be rather a big job, unless the car park is going too!!

I nearly forgot, the buildign was never a cinema, that was the bingo round the back just off Fitzalan Square. It used to be an Odeon in the mid 60's.

you are correct, it was top rank, then steely's then Barry noble's roxy nitespot! :confused: or "poxy roxy, the dirty pick up place" as my mother used to call it. Ccan't you tel she hated nightclubs? lol

and yes the odeon which became the bingo hall was on the junction of esperanto place and flat st. it's believed it had the shortest history of all Sheffield Cinemas , being open (IIRC) 9 yrs as a cinema.

Wasn't it the Fiesta or was that next door?

Wasn't it the Fiesta or was that next door?

The Fiestas Club was next door and is now the Odeon multiscreen cinemas

Just shows how old and out of touch I am, I was just about to dive in and tell you about the Roxy but the only Roxy I know is/was on Idsworth Road at Page Hall. If still there, it's probably a Bingo Hall too.

I think you got the wrong idea. I mean before it was built. Not what ever nightclub/spot was on the premises. Before Arundel gate was built might have been a better title. The photo's do work. Just use this bit though:

http://www.picturesheffield.co.uk/

I used to drive a mini-cab when the Roxy was on the go and it was a valuable source of income to us drivers.We used to jam the payphone with a bent coin so the punters coudn't ring rival companies.

I remember before the NCP and Top Rank. The area where the car park stands was vegetation on a hillside. I remember waiting for the no 59 Bradway bus opposite the college and looking up at Christmas when the shrubbery was illuminated!

Cat631.great minds think alike. My first thought was Roxy, Idworth Road. I believe it is now a carpet showroom or similar. Still looks as tacky as it did when I went dancing there.

Just shows how old and out of touch I am, I was just about to dive in and tell you about the Roxy but the only Roxy I know is/was on Idsworth Road at Page Hall. If still there, it's probably a Bingo Hall too.

It was a bingo hall in the 80s, my Nan used to go there. It's a furniture place now, and half derelict. You can see the front steps in a scene in The Full Monty. :)

Wasn't it the Fiesta or was that next door?
Myself and some friends booked to see Tony Christie at the Fiesta (1973?), but he had to cry out due to illness.
Norman Wisdom was drafted in as a last minute replacement. I was originally a bit disppappointed as Norman was seen as a bit of an old fogie, but it turned out to be one of the greatest nights of my life. He was so very funny. The kind of funny that still keeps you laughing on the last bus home.
What a man.