Locarno Ballroom: Dance hall days

In a series focusing on popular haunts long since gone, we remember the Locarno Ballroom, on Babington Lane, venue for a host of memorable nights out in the Swinging Sixties.

WHETHER it was for the dancing, beauty contests, or music gigs, the Locarno Ballroom, on Derby’s Babington Lane, was one of the places to spend your night out in the Sixties.

From the Saturday morning disco to gigs featuring top bands of the day like The Dave Clark Five, Freddie and the Dreamers, Herman’s Hermits and the Honeycombs, the Locarno had plenty to offer a variety of people.

The Skyliners performing at the Locarno in the 1960s

It had a revolving silver globe, which hung from the centre of the ceiling, and even a revolving stage which would turn round to reveal bands and orchestras.

The venue provided live broadcasts for Ray Moore’s Saturday Night Live programme and played host to a variety of events including many beauty contests.

Older readers will remember the Locarno in its former life as the Grand Theatre, which opened in 1886.

The theatre closed down in 1950 due to competition from the increasingly popular cinemas.

It re-opened as the Locarno in 1959 after a re-fit and, more recently, has become McClusky’s.

Do you remember the Locarno Ballroom? Did you meet your future husband or wife there? What bands do you recall seeing there? Why not share your memories by clicking on the discussion link at the top of the page.

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