Don't know if this has been posted before.

(From Wigan Observer)

Shoppers at Wigan's newest arcade are to be treated to a taste of Wigan Casino.

The Casino Cafe eating area will take pride of place in the GBP120m Grand Arcade shopping centre, close to the site where the famous soul club once stood.

The arcade is due to open next year. (Update...It is currently open)

Russ Winstanley, legendary Northern Soul DJ, said: "I think it's a great compliment.

"We have never had anything to mark the fact the Casino was once there so I'm very happy." Interior designers from developers Modus have been liaising with Russ and former Casino regular and renowned local artist David Barrow about how best to remember the nightclub.

Classic photographs, paintings by David and a memorabilia cabinet are all being planned for inclusion in the eating area which will feature the original Casino-style lettering on its frontage.

Russ also hopes to have a soul-themed grand opening which could mean the strains of Dean Parrish, Dobie Gray and Frank Wilson will be ringing around the site once again.

Russ said: "There has never been any sort of plaque to mark the spot, just a car park and temporary buildings.

"Modus has been good enough to speak to me and David so they deserve credit for recognising the Casino's importance." One of the original ideas was to use an abstract concept but the interior designers finally opted for the style of Northern Soul which will be incorporated into a three-part eating area to be known as The Mezz.

Although the Casino itself never had a cafe, it did have a snack bar which specialised in Lucozade and Wigan pies and pasties.

I mean, reminiscing is such a big part of all of our lives

NO

Reminiscing has it's place but it's NOT a big part of my life. Just a happy memory.

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 them 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

Hi Steve,

I know it's a local thing & i probably shouldn't be getting worked up about it but i just abhor the masss commercialisation of NS or anything come to that including Teddy Boys, i just think it cheapens the whole thing & makes it tacky.

I think i'll take you up on the rare soul tag, it's probably more accurate for todays scene anyway.

Simon

I've managed to set up similar deals in Stoke, Yate, Manchester, Cleethorpes, Stafford and a prime location on 99 Oxford Street closest i could get sorry, so Russ looking for Beverage Managers if you fancy a gig....lol

On a more serious note as Steve M said it's only a Cafe nothing more so perhaps on reflection it's not that important.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

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

No karen it is not..I fully understand where Russ is coming from..I'm sorry I really can't explain it...The Casino meant so much to a lot of people and my gut feeling that it is being trivialised by someone who was probably one of the bstards who tried to bash the living daylights out of us on the way there

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.

walking thru those double doors....at the top of those stairs....pushing those doors open...intense heat..smell of brut....or going upto the balcony and looking down on a packed dancefloor...tell me where else you have experiened that....I dont mean to be insulting Karen...we know each other... but this idea of a cafe just seems to flippant

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.

i wasnt much older when i went babes.....sheer bloodymindeness...and cunning!!!!

it's about history.

no it's about money

After all, without memories and passion we wouldn't be here discussing Northern Soul today

Yes,...in that respect...i totally agree with you

- it would have died years ago.

No Karen....during the final days of Wigan... Northern soul scene was a totally different scene...if anything it was becoming more revivialist than it is now... but with clubs like the 100 club and Stafford...Rotherham.. these allowed the scene to go back underground..redefine itself...and 25+ years on....emerged to become recognised to a certain extent within the mainstream..but also still keeping its uniqueness...Delxx

it's voice your choice I guess. I personally loath this kind of thing, but I imagine it's no different to the cavern 'shrine' in liverpool. I made the journey in feb 1975 at the tender age of 14, though I was with the big 'uns on the train up there. I think karen was referring more to making a 600 mile trip unaccompanied. it's different for girls. & who said anything about love? I wish them well, I really do...

Edited April 11, 200718 yr by macca

maybe they could have done something more subtle like public toilets, then they could have just had a big "W.C." sign at the entrance. those 'in the know' (that's you lot) would realise it's a homage to Wigan Casino, whereas your general Joe Public would just go in and have a fart?

Edited April 11, 200718 yr by Sutty

it's voice your choice I guess. I personally loath this kind of thing, but I imagine it's no different to the cavern 'shrine' in liverpool. I made the journey in feb 1975 at the tender age of 14, though I was with the big 'uns on the train up there. I think karen was referring more to making a 600 mile trip unaccompanied. it's different for girls

& who said anything about love? I wish them well, I really do...

So was I....as a fearless young female ...nothing was going to get in the way of me getting to the Casino.....now i am just a grumpy old bird Delxx

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 !

Mr Rimmer you are never forgeting JJB's and all they have done for Wigan are you

I was back in Wigan last weekend went shoping on Saturday morning and yes i did have a look at the cafe and the person that put two shop manikin's (and try and dress them to look like some one that went to the Casino) in the display should be F*^king well shot, to say they look naff is a understatement of the highest order, If this is work in progrees i recomend the next five minutes work should be to return them to the shop they came from.

Steve J

Mr Rimmer you are never forgeting JJB's and all they have done for Wigan are you

I was back in Wigan last weekend went shoping on Saturday morning and yes i did have a look at the cafe and the person that put two shop manikin's (and try and dress them to look like some one that went to the Casino) in the display should be F*^king well shot, to say they look naff is a understatement of the highest order, If this is work in progrees i recomend the next five minutes work should be to return them to the shop they came from.

Steve J

Nothing more to say IMO...nothing more to say...Delxx

Mr Rimmer you are never forgeting JJB's and all they have done for Wigan are you

I was back in Wigan last weekend went shoping on Saturday morning and yes i did have a look at the cafe and the person that put two shop manikin's (and try and dress them to look like some one that went to the Casino) in the display should be F*^king well shot, to say they look naff is a understatement of the highest order, If this is work in progrees i recomend the next five minutes work should be to return them to the shop they came from.

Steve J

As I actually know one of the guys who started the firm, no.

But Wigan isn't actually famous for JJBs though is it. To the average person in the street, JJBs is a sports shop, but they don't associate it with Wigan.

Same as Reebok and Bolton. Very few people actually realise that the firm started off making running shoes in a back street in Bolton, they just assume that Reebok are a multinational same as Puma or Adidas.

Having said that, if the cafe have gone so down the road as to be dressing mannekins up in vests and T-Shirts that's taking it too far. They should have gone with Central Park Cafe instead !!! Probably a damn site more Wigan people went through the gates at Central Park than ever went through the doors at the Casino !!!!

should be good this , cant wait for the casino cafe

Edited April 11, 200718 yr by JBsounds

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

Ahh, Russ, I didn't take it personally - after all, it's not my cafe, but I just felt the compulsion to stick up for the poor bloke. I still love ya and so look forward to seeing you upon the British shores in the very near future!

Since all the handbaggers as you call them have left, there aren't that many hangers on - surely, any means to get the unknowing public interested and their ears twitching is a good thing albeit over an omlette and strong northern brew

I'm obviously one of those that don't get it, but then again, I'm not like everyone else

Simon, I'll be wearing my stab proof vest Saturday so don't try anything on

PS: I didn't use the term oldies either

Edited April 11, 200718 yr by ♫ Soulgirl ♫

So was I....as a fearless young female ...nothing was going to get in the way of me getting to the Casino.....now i am just a grumpy old bird Delxx

You were a brave young bird then!!

M

walking thru those double doors....at the top of those stairs....pushing those doors open...intense heat..smell of brut....or going upto the balcony and looking down on a packed dancefloor...tell me where else you have experiened that....I dont mean to be insulting Karen...we know each other... but this idea of a cafe just seems to flippant

Of course it sounds flippant but he's created a little peice all for himself and at the same time has created something unique I guess, in a sea of a high street shop kind of shopping precinct. I hope it doesn't smell of brute though!

Now Del, there's cunning which I was/am, and cunning. I couldn't have possibly stayed out for almost 2 days without my Victorian guardian not noticing and a red hot poker round the back of my legs was bad enough once! I had to be in at 9pm or punished. My skin won

As I actually know one of the guys who started the firm, no.

But Wigan isn't actually famous for JJBs though is it. To the average person in the street, JJBs is a sports shop, but they don't associate it with Wigan.

Same as Reebok and Bolton. Very few people actually realise that the firm started off making running shoes in a back street in Bolton, they just assume that Reebok are a multinational same as Puma or Adidas.

Having said that, if the cafe have gone so down the road as to be dressing mannekins up in vests and T-Shirts that's taking it too far. They should have gone with Central Park Cafe instead !!! Probably a damn site more Wigan people went through the gates at Central Park than ever went through the doors at the Casino !!!!

Dave i had two year's working for them when they had the old rollerskating waerhouse near Wigan pier in 77-78, Yes you are right it's not famous for JJB's (but to think that it started from a old Gunn shop JJ Bradfords in little old Wigan), it was just my way of saying how much JJB's have done for W,R,L,C or not done, it depens on how you look at it.

Central Park Cafe would have been a lot more apt.

Steve J

anti commercialism,

underground,

anti money making ventures,

the scene has moved on?

just curious (hard hat firmly on) as to how many on this thread handed a considerable amount of their hard earned cash over to an 'establishment' last month known nationally as PONTINS?

i reckon they make a tidy sum out of 'NS' (much more than any promoter in history i reckon) and if they thought they could get 10 more ppl in on a rock n roll weekend they would drop 'NS' like a shot!

just a thought!!! not aimed at anyone in particular!

Pete

anti commercialism,

underground,

anti money making ventures,

the scene has moved on?

just curious (hard hat firmly on) as to how many on this thread handed a considerable amount of their hard earned cash over to an 'establishment' last month known nationally as PONTINS?

i reckon they make a tidy sum out of 'NS' (much more than any promoter in history i reckon) and if they thought they could get 10 more ppl in on a rock n roll weekend they would drop 'NS' like a shot!

just a thought!!! not aimed at anyone in particular!

Pete

Not one thin dime from me.

Steve J

I've been reading this thread with a wry smile.

The bottom line is some enterprise has set up a "theme caf / eatery" to make money.

It really is that pure and simple.

The fact it's associated with Northern Soul and Wigan Casino is immaterial.

If they could make a buck using Uncle Joes Mint Ball's they would have.

We might not agree with the commercialisation of what was an underground scene in the 70's but nostalgia in all its forms is still a money maker.

IMO, for all the valid reasons previously discussed, they can stick it where the sun don't shine.

I'll live with my memories and I don't have any inclination to have a latte in a setting which has no relevance to the scene then or now.

Not one thin dime from me.

Steve J

Nice one steve! but the point is the thread on the said event before and after created so much interest on here (and rumours of 4000+ in attendance)

Pete

IMO, for all the valid reasons previously discussed, they can stick it where the sun don't shine.

I really don't get it

Why are so many abhorrent? And don't give me the plum's about personal memories, it's dead and buried or even that the scene has moved on. That's all a pile of faecal matter.

Stickers are still being sold, posters and prints are still being sold, dansette record players are still being sold, teeshirts are still being sold.

We shouldn't dismiss the past nor slate anyone for trying something different, and let's face it, it's the first cafe of it's kind right?

I've been battered previously for not adhereing to the Northern Soul code by someone who basically said I was nothing being that they'd been on the scene for 30 years and that that code still stood. Where's the forward in that?

There's no forward, just dumb rules and rules are there to be broken (my Dad will confirm this )

no one up for tea and scones then

I really don't get it

Hi Karen,

I tried to make the point I wasn't against someone trying to set up a successful enterprise.

IMO, and thats the key point, its been set up with a degree of cynicism to make cash, no more or less.

If the 'entenepeurs' could have latched onto something that they percieved as more successful they would have.

I didn't (and won't) dismiss the past, but again IMO, this is just an attempt to cash in on a nostalgia trip.

A relevant and accurate homage to WC would get my support, and I suspect of a lot of others would agree as well.

Until that happens I'll stick clear of any blatant commercilisation that has no relevance to what I know as NS, either now or historically.

Cheers

Tabs

If the 'entenepeurs' could have latched onto something that they percieved as more successful they would have.

That exactly the point !

They are in it for profit, I would think, not some nostalgia trip for the over 50's. And as for a genuine link to the real thing, would you want to go to the Taj Mahal Cafe in India if the Taj Mahal itself had been torn down ? (Or any landmark of your choice )

Also, there was a thread on here about a Soul Cafe in Nottingham. With flyers on the wall , plenty of Northern on the jukebox etc. So its hardly a new idea.

Edited April 11, 200718 yr by SteveM

Shouldnt this be in the all about cafe`s section,fukc all to do with soul

Hi Karen,

I tried to make the point I wasn't against someone trying to set up a successful enterprise.

IMO, and thats the key point, its been set up with a degree of cynicism to make cash, no more or less.

If the 'entenepeurs' could have latched onto something that they percieved as more successful they would have.

I didn't (and won't) dismiss the past, but again IMO, this is just an attempt to cash in on a nostalgia trip.

A relevant and accurate homage to WC would get my support, and I suspect of a lot of others would agree as well.

Until that happens I'll stick clear of any blatant commercilisation that has no relevance to what I know as NS, either now or historically.

Cheers

Tabs

Hi Tabs, can i ask as im a bit confused about this myself, who is making money out of this cafe because its themed on the Casino, who will use the Cafe or not use it because it is themed on the Casino, if the cafe was named something else would it not be as financially beneficial,

Does anyone on here still live in the Wigan area, if so is the Casino recognised locally as its biggest assett to advertise itself worldwide and to attract people to the Arcade/Cafe for financial gain,

These aint aimed directly at you Tabs but if anyone can help it might help me understand whats so wrong about it, sorry

Bearsy

Also, there was a thread on here about a Soul Cafe in Nottingham. With flyers on the wall , plenty of Northern on the jukebox etc. So its hardly a new idea.

And if you look on their website Motown is spelt MoWtown.

How bad is that?

Hi Karen,

I tried to make the point I wasn't against someone trying to set up a successful enterprise.

IMO, and thats the key point, its been set up with a degree of cynicism to make cash, no more or less.

Cheers

Tabs

How do we know that for sure though? I don't promote soul night for commercial monetary gain, I do it for the love of it. I don't pay throught the nose for a dance website (don't ask!) for fiscal profits, I do it for the love of it. It's not always about making money although obviously the cafe is to make money but not necessarily the theme of it.

Perhaps we should track down the owner and request an interview... a fair way to perhaps either confirm or flatten many of the negativities here?

I'm going to call them!

That exactly the point !

They are in it for profit, I would think, not some nostalgia trip for the over 50's. And as for a genuine link to the real thing, would you want to go to the Taj Mahal Cafe in India if the Taj Mahal itself had been torn down ? (Or any landmark of your choice )

Also, there was a thread on here about a Soul Cafe in Nottingham. With flyers on the wall , plenty of Northern on the jukebox etc. So its hardly a new idea.

I stand corrected

However, many people frequent a Taj Mahal for a curry Simon

Hi Tabs, can i ask as im a bit confused about this myself, who is making money out of this cafe because its themed on the Casino, who will use the Cafe or not use it because it is themed on the Casino, if the cafe was named something else would it not be as financially beneficial,

Does anyone on here still live in the Wigan area, if so is the Casino recognised locally as its biggest assett to advertise itself worldwide and to attract people to the Arcade/Cafe for financial gain,

These aint aimed directly at you Tabs but if anyone can help it might help me understand whats so wrong about it, sorry

Bearsy

I'm not saying its wrong, just that for me its got very little to do with the Casino itself, other than as a local theme, which may or may not be of interest to the locals.

And I'm not an advertising expert, but I wouldn't recommend an expensive worldwide campaign for this particular venture. Can't see it being on a US pensioners must see tour along with Ann Hathaways Cottage, St Pauls, Big Ben, Chesterfields twisted spire and the only house in Barnsley with electric light. Can anybody else ?

Would you go Bearsy ? Anybody ?

I think the problem here with this if there is one is basically something like this is so far removed from what most of us are involved with this scene for i.e. the music, to be perfectly honest little else interests me outside of that, it's totally naff if you ask me but at the end of the day very few people shopping in Wigan on a Saturday afternoon are going to worry as if they can get a nice cup of tea there and a sit down for ten minutes i feel the theme or connection with the Northern scene won't even cross their minds nor will they care.

As with all the other naff tack related to N Soul, well 'Keep The Faith' and the tack as they deserve it, give me a tune i don't know, a track that floats my boat anytime, far better to contribute on today's scene, have passion for the real thing that matters again i.e. the music and if it's all the same i make a pretty darn good cup of tea so i'll stick to a home brew on this one.

The bottom line is it's a cafe in a shopping centre and really has nothing to do with the scene today, it's not a venue, a record, a DJ or a place to celebrate the music it's a cafe in Wigan, a bloody cafe you know tea, coffee, scabby over priced cakes etc. it's not a sweaty venue it's a cafe so are we not going a little overboard here on our reaction to this...i'm just waiting for someone to do a 'cafe lookback' in the venue section...quality of tea perhaps, menu, prices.....come on it's a cafe...who cares...lol

Regards - Mark Bicknell

Ps Jacqui wants to go shopping in Wigan Saturday, can't wait full report to follow...now what to wear?????

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

You can strike Holland's Pies (yummy) Dave, their made in Baxenden, used to live just up road....

Derek.

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)

This is fair comment, but Museums go to considerable lengths to ensure that their research is as ACCURATE as possible. They have to turn a profit too, which is why they have bookshops etc., but they don't allow that to influence the way the facts are researched and presented. Entries in Wikipedia however can be rewritten by anyone, at any time, without recourse to any verifiable facts whatever.

I'm sure that MANY people would "complain about museums" if they were shown to be DELIBERATELY distorting the known facts in order to deceive or make money, and any institution that did so would soon lose all credibility (remember the furore over the faked 'Hitler Diaries'?)

One only has to consider the fuss caused by so-called "Holocaust denial" and Slavery to see the intense feeling that can revolve around various interpretations of history, but I feel strongly that our history deserves to be recorded as accurately as possible - particularly in the face of current trends to distort facts to suit political expedience - and this applies as much to our old "stomping grounds" as to anything else!

Edited April 11, 200718 yr by mel brat

I'm not saying its wrong, just that for me its got very little to do with the Casino itself, other than as a local theme, which may or may not be of interest to the locals.

And I'm not an advertising expert, but I wouldn't recommend an expensive worldwide campaign for this particular venture. Can't see it being on a US pensioners must see tour along with Ann Hathaways Cottage, St Pauls, Big Ben, Chesterfields twisted spire and the only house in Barnsley with electric light. Can anybody else ?

Would you go Bearsy ? Anybody ?

apparently the arcade covers some of the plot where the Casino once stood (stand to be corrected) and thats why part of the reasoning behind the themed cafe and the name Casino Cafe, i thought i read somewhere that the owners done a bit of homework on the site and casino and traced RW get help and input,

Who is going to have anything to do with a business that is going to call themselves "Olympic" something or other and that event aint here yet for another what 5 years,

would i visit the Cafe if i ever need to venture to Wigan, yes i would, more out of interest than nostalgia,

Bearsy

I can't believe anyone goes in there and eats the whole thing!!!!! da da dadumda dadum

Next they will be getting a mobile 'Fish and Chip' van and going on tour....Casino Cafe Roadshow...lol whatever next or has that already been done.....don't you just love nostalgia?

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Next they will be getting a mobile 'Fish and Chip' van and going on tour....Casino Cafe Roadshow...lol whatever next or has that already been done.....don't you just love nostalgia?

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

You could not make this shit up.............FANTASTIC THREAD LONG LIVE bangers n mash in wigan

does this new themed cafe have an upstairs to it called mrMs that opens later,and i bet its got laminate flooring not the original sprung dance flooring.i for one if in wigan will call in just to wade about in the foot high piss in the toilets

aaaahhhh memories...

You can strike Holland's Pies (yummy) Dave, their made in Baxenden, used to live just up road....

Derek.

Well I did say "unless you count Holland's pies". They may not be made in Wigan, but in my mind they are always associated with the town.

As Steve Johnston and I said Central Park Cafe would have been a lot more appropriate for a memorial cafe in Wigan. Much longer history, a lot more genuine memorabilia, and a greater connection to people who live in Wigan.

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

You might find this hard to believe Russ, but when I went to the Motown Cafe in NYC, Berry Gordy wasn't there, neither was Levi, nor Edwin, and I didn't see Smokey having a brew with Paul Riser discussing the next arrangement for Jimmy Ruffin.

Was I upset? No! I went in for a brew and found it fascinating. Also it didn't trivialise, soil or sully my memories of Motown. From your response above I feel you may find this hard to believe.

As I said before, you lot take yourselves to seriously. Its a theme cafe, and I would rather go in here than Nandos, The Hard Rock, La Tasca and so on!!

As I said before, you lot take yourselves to seriously. Its a theme cafe, and I would rather go in here than Nandos, The Hard Rock, La Tasca and so on!!

It's a serious business this Northern Soul stuff though Brian which is why people get so passionate about what may seem to some just another little caff selling tea & buns but to others is just another example of the name of northern soul & Wigan Casino being used as a lowest common denominator to make cash & to celebrate it in all it's lowest forms, i mean for christs sake dummies in the window dressed up as 'Northern Soul people', the strains of Frank Wilson blah blah as a musical background, Russ's Wigan wares displayed in a nice commemorative cabinet, please tell me this ain't tacky.

As others have said a proper exhibition with facts & real memorabilia set in an arena slightly more interesting than your average cloned shopping centre would be great, then people could go along & hopefully get a real experience rather than the tacky day out at this themed monstrosity, "Mummy, daddy, why are those people in the window wearing funny clothes", "That's the clothes mummy & daddy used to wear when we went along to these Northern Soul dos long before you were born, they stopped playing that music about 25 years ago, do you remember that tune they're playing 'Time will pass you by', i used to love that record, if i remember correctly it was known as one of the three before eight records...".

Simon

And if you look on their website Motown is spelt MoWtown.

How bad is that?

Do they sell lawnmowers then?

Anyways, I don't have to make the journey to Wigan, as KRL have just released Casino Cafe Classics 1-7.

My order has gone straight in for the lot! lovely jubbly

"Mummy, daddy, why are those people in the window wearing funny clothes", "That's the clothes mummy & daddy used to wear when we went along to these Northern Soul dos long before you were born, they stopped playing that music about 25 years ago, do you remember that tune they're playing 'Time will pass you by', i used to love that record, if i remember correctly it was known as one of the three before eight records...".

Hey, that might ressurrect their long lost interest and bring them back into the fold. That's a good thing isn't it?

Tacky is in the eye of the beholder

Hey, that might ressurrect their long lost interest and bring them back into the fold. That's a good thing isn't it?

Tacky is in the eye of the beholder

It all depends Karen, if they're coming at it for the right reasons & they don't just wanna hear what they heard 25 years ago that's all fine & dandy but if they're just on a nostalgia trip i personally don't think that's very healthy.

Obviously they'd have to do some sort of refresher course before they were allowed access back into the scene...

Simon

Well I did say "unless you count Holland's pies". They may not be made in Wigan, but in my mind they are always associated with the town.

As Steve Johnston and I said Central Park Cafe would have been a lot more appropriate for a memorial cafe in Wigan. Much longer history, a lot more genuine memorabilia, and a greater connection to people who live in Wigan.

Dave the reason why they chose the cafe to be called Casino Cafe is because the shopping arcade that the cafe is in is built on the site where the Casino once stood and not in central park,

Next they will be getting a mobile 'Fish and Chip' van and going on tour....Casino Cafe Roadshow...lol whatever next or has that already been done.....don't you just love nostalgia?

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Well I did say "unless you count Holland's pies". They may not be made in Wigan, but in my mind they are always associated with the town.

As Steve Johnston and I said Central Park Cafe would have been a lot more appropriate for a memorial cafe in Wigan. Much longer history, a lot more genuine memorabilia, and a greater connection to people who live in Wigan.

Pooles Pies are from Wigan and are what they used to sell at Central park They are probably the best pies in the world..never mind those Hollands imposters

They are probably the best pies in the world..never mind those Hollands imposters

Oh no, no, no - that accolade is reserved wholly for Pimbletts of St Helens.

the expression 'return to the fold' is contentious as it implies a manifest ovine nature in human behaviour. bleat, bleat, bleat...

it's similar to the expression 'el efecto ±u (gnu)' in spanish, conjuring up, in my mind, images of anxious, bearded, frothing at the mouth, cloven hooved beasts trying to cross the crocodile infested waters of the serenghetti national park.

one recklessly jumps into the water & the rest follow suit.

the survival instinct & the promise of sweet grazing pastures on the other side makes them throw all caution to the wind.

Edited April 12, 200718 yr by macca

Oh no, no, no - that accolade is reserved wholly for Pimbletts of St Helens.

Ooh. A Wigan, St Helens and Baxenden (?) Pie War.

You can hear the sound of duelling banjos already

Ooh. A Wigan, St Helens and Baxenden (?) Pie War.

You can hear the sound of duelling banjos already

Banjo's are sold over the counter in Parr mate.