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Tiffany's Nightclub Remembered: Greasy Snogs And Disco In 1970s Wigan
Chest hair, fake palm trees and disco balls: this was the 70’s, all those clichés were right and they were at Tiffany's...
The building is ugly but it has a tale or two to tell if you’d like to listen. To get there we move through the town centre past pie shops, Poundland and Primark until we reach a big cube of place covered in sickly yellow tiles and bright red brickwork. The pavements round here are certainly not paved with gold but this unlikely looking venue once drew the youth of Wigan through its doors and left the rest of the town’s nightclubs fighting for the scraps.
Tiffany’s opened in the late 70’s and promised sophisticated entertainment for the over 21’s, well I suppose it was a little bit more upmarket than the usual late night haunts in town. Before Tiff’s we had places like Puffers and Blutos, smallish places that didn’t require any dress code especially Puffers/Pemps. I was also a regular at the Wigan Casino Rock Nights and once went there in a jumper I had slept in the night before. Bryan Ferry had nothing on me.
Tiff’s changed all that and initially split my group of mates in two. I suppose there was always an unseen dividing line between us though we always got on well. Half the group would be in high waist many buttoned trousers with patterned shirt fitted over the top collar of their wide lapelled jackets or bombers and the other half would be in jeans, t-shirts and duffle or afghan. I was in the t-shirt/jeans side of the equation. The differences were magnified on holidays that we took together when the trousers had one room and the jeans the other. The trouser gang took a bath and then used deodorant, a fact that amazed the jeans fraternity whose bottle of Hai Karate or Old Spice lasted from Christmas to Christmas. This combined with using hairdryers and brushes was almost gay! Well apart from the fact the nice smelling coiffured bunch seemed to get more women than us natural musk smelling scraggy haired lot.
When the trousers went to Tiff’s we initially refused to go but gradually the disco sirens calling to us from the yellow and red cube drew us to our funky fate. We procured the trousers, shopped for shirts, ditched the duffels and most importantly of all, got the tie. The tie was the key to the magic kingdom for without it your entrance was barred. Now if you’re sat there imagining the jeans gang emerging like some lovely butterflies from denim cocoons think again. We looked like those Victorian photographs of old Wild West outlaws, after they had been killed; you know the ones, propped up on a board wearing an ill-fitting suit. We were as comfortable as a jelly on a bed of nails.
The dance area in Tiff’s was enormous and packed with women and Jason King lookalikes with shirts unbuttoned to the navel and enough chest hair to stuff a small sofa.
The tie was the worst bit, apart from Weddings, Funerals and job interviews we hadn’t worn one since our school days and it was the one item of clothing we were apt to forget. Tiff’s had a strict rule regarding ties, no tie no admittance and if you forgot your tie then you had to put your reserve plan into action. This could include putting your belt round your neck and passing that off as a tie. This seemed plausible after 10 pints and your drinking partners would nod their approval as they groggily inspected your neckwear “Awreet that, corn’t tell it’s a belt” Alas such attempts were likely to end in failure unless the bouncers were myopic.
By far the best substitute for a tie was the humble sock. Stretched out as far as it would go and then tied round the neck, pull your jacket up and together, push your neck down, keep one hand in your pocket to keep your pants from falling down and lift your shoulders up. Suave it wasn’t but it usually worked especially if you walked closely behind your tallest mate. The daft thing was once you got in the club you could take your tie/sock/belt off and nobody gave a monkey’s.
The place itself seemed massive and quite impressive but I was comparing it to Puffers with its tiny dance floor and barrels for tables. The dance area in Tiff’s was enormous and packed with women and Jason King lookalikes with shirts unbuttoned to the navel and enough chest hair to stuff a small sofa. Their taches could stuff the cushions. In front of them was a stage and a DJ spinning the music which was purely D.I.S.C.O. Tiffany’s had a female Disc Jockey named Stella and I think she was a good looking girl but I never ventured up close enough to look at her and I didn’t think she’d play “Stairway to Heaven” if I asked her anyway. Up above the grooving gyrators was a spinning mirror ball casting a million stars around the room, kids this was the 70’s and all those clichés were right, well they were at Tiff’s.
Tables and chairs surrounded the dance floor and on the odd occasions I strutted my funky stuff it felt like you were being judged in a 70’s version of “Strictly” I can’t have a wee if the toilets are packed so if my version of the Hustle was a little wooden then that’s why. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. Palm trees and Roman/Greek columns were dotted about the room and I’m pretty sure they were fake though that didn’t stop one of my mates trying to climb up a tree to see if they had coconuts.
Up above the grooving gyrators was a spinning mirror ball casting a million stars around the room, kids this was the 70’s and all those clichés were right, well they were at Tiff’s.
The stage was also the place where the resident group at Tiff’s played. They were called “Sunshine Cake” which sounds like something you might buy in the cafes of Amsterdam. I can’t tell you if they were any good but they must have been alright because I never noticed the switch between records and the live music. Mind you by the time they came on I was well oiled and probably chatting up a Roman column.
Three bars were set in the walls of the room and I remember the ale being bloody awful and if I’m not mistaken it was served in plastic glasses and went warm in a couple of minutes. The best thing about the bar staff women was the togas they wore and anything off the bottom shelf was a popular choice for all the male customers. Tiff’s also had a snack area where you could buy chicken in a basket! I’d heard about this exotic dish from someone who had been to the world famous Batley Variety Club, what do you mean you’ve never heard of it? Well it was famous “up north” and deserves an article to itself, watch this space. The snack bar was ideal for a bowl of chips at around 1am and if you tapped up you could always impress your wench by sharing a chicken & chips basket. Oh those greasy snogs later!
Between the bars and the seating area was a walkway running all the way round the club. It was carpeted and before too long it was sticky from all the ale spilled on it. The one thing everyone remembered when I asked them about Tiff’s was this walkway. All night long people would walk round in a continuous circle; it was a never ending cavalcade of women mixed in with the odd Jason King pillock. The best ever description of this women’s circle came from Paul Richardson who said “It wer like hookin’ a duck at fair” fantastic imagery!
Despite the plastic palm trees, glitter balls and ancient plaster columns it never really won me over, it was all a bit too artificial and all those hairy chests and satin shirts didn’t help either. I can understand though if some people loved it and probably more couples met there and went on to get married than from anywhere else in town. I met the future Mrs TT there and at least four of my mates met their respective partners there too. The place must have had something about it but personally I put it down to the Old Spice and regular baths.
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COMMENTS
AM
12:04 pm, 24-Jan-2012
nice article terry. bit to young to go to tiffs although i did go to maximes a good few times. the palm trees and the roman columns where still there but the music and the jason kings had well gone.
Tony
12:59 pm, 24-Jan-2012
Spent many a weekend staggering mile after mile around that racetrack, eventually finishing up on the dancefloor for the last two records trying to hook up with an overweight chick in order to maximise my chances! The warm down consisted of staggering up Greenhouse St on my own freezing my unused nuts off!
TonyT
7:35 pm, 24-Jan-2012
Cheers AM and Tony
Donuts
8:37 pm, 24-Jan-2012
Cracking Tony, as I left Wigan at 18, my memories are of under 18s on a Sunday night - every group had its area, the Robert Smithalikes were always a hoot, I was more Don Johnson/Club Tropicana. The Walkway analogy is spot on though.
Vaughanie
9:12 pm, 24-Jan-2012
The memories - what a bloody horrible place it was! The chicken and chips were great though. The only problem was - as you say Tony - the beer was that bad the chicken and chips would always reappear an hour or so later. The alternative to beer - of course - was Pernod and lemonade which meant the chicken and chips would still reappear an hour or so late but you just didn't remember it! Happy Days - quite literally as half the lads in there thought they were The Fonz.
TonyT
9:49 pm, 24-Jan-2012
Thanks very much lads, much appreciated
Finton
8:57 am, 25-Jan-2012
I'm similar to Donuts. Too young for its Tiffs glory but fond memories of the Under 18s - hordes of juvenile girls just walking round in a circle for hour after hour & the odd furtive fumble round near the burger bar....
Colin Parker
7:01 pm, 10-Feb-2012
I used to play at Tiffany's Rotherham around Sept 1976- April 1977 in a resident band called Van Staaden with Dave V.S Then Steve Middleton for a while. I had my favourite Twin neck at the time anyone remember?
alan fairclough alias mark anthony
11:21 am, 15-Nov-2012
Anyone remember me along with Stella i was one of the resident d.js
karen bilton
5:53 pm, 4-Dec-2012
oh my god, yes those were the days..friday nights and saturday nights. round the pubs first then into tiffs...happy days!!!
Gail Collier
6:55 pm, 12-Aug-2013
Hi anybody got photos of tiffanys hull im making a lifestory book for my 86yr old father he was the first bouncer to work at tiffs tried everywere to get a photo plenty pics when it changed to LAs nothing as tiffs much appreciated if you can help Thanks gail collier
Ian S Hodgson
9:50 am, 10-Sep-2013
I too worked as a DJ in Wakefield at Interco/Raquels and as a barman at Tiffany's. The house band I recall was Jason's Flock, later renamed The Flock when STuart Jason went solo and Sandra Stevens went on to join Brotherhood of Man. It wasn't as bad as some contributors make out and was pretty full every night except Sunday when it closed.
Annie Moyes
11:10 am, 14-Jan-2014
Mr sister Barbara and I worked as Bar Maids at Tiffany's Bournemouth from the opening night,in 1974, it wasn't too long before we were promoted to Bar Supervisors!! What fun we had... the band used to come back to our flat above the Poole Fish and Chip Shop after the club had closed, much alcohol and other substances were imbibed and good times were had by all. Anyone else on here who worked or went to Tiffany's Bournemouth in the 70's. Mecca eventually sent us to London where I worked as Asst. Catering Manager at The Cat's Whiskers, Streatham and Barb went to Tiffanys, Purley. Great memories,
David
5:33 pm, 4-Feb-2014
I worked as the barman for Tiffanys during 1978 to 1982. Great ime of my life after leaving school. I was under the catering manager of Trevor Carter who was a huge character. He was a jack the lad who had a lot of funwith the girls because he was so funny and looked like Paul Newman a bit, all the bar girls fancied him. He used to walk in singing "oh what a night...". His assistant manager was a Dorothy Jameson who was more like a second mother to me. The other people I remember were Bernard Tootle, old Jack the doorman along with Big Bill Lilly and his wife Rita with her remarkable ginger hair, Maria Mishack, Mary the head cook who you didn't want to upset, Elvis the night batman, another Rita who used to clean the bars, Gary Richardson who used to work with me and his mum was a cleaner too.... And so many more. Great days.
Sean Brennan
9:37 pm, 28-Feb-2014
My haunt at the weekends was Tiffanys in Dublin different groups went on the different nights the hardcore went on Fridays and Sundays and the posers went on a Saturday is there anybody on here that went to Tiffanys in Dublin in the 70's would love to hear from them
Hazel
2:11 am, 13-Mar-2014
Tiffs was my favorite dj was steve jones he lived in Sale does anyone know where he is now
Kevin
11:34 am, 14-Mar-2014
I was the catering manager at Tiffs in 1979/80 John Bottomley was the general manager, what great times would love to hear from any of the staff around that time, do know a few still but love to hear from anyone.
Mikw
3:44 pm, 15-Mar-2014
Brilliant! Brings the memory's flooding back. I hated the place.
Jonathan Miller
10:59 pm, 4-May-2014
I was the resident DJ at Tiffanys in Boyrnemouth in 1974. Great days! The Jon Peters Progression were the resident band. I don't think I was ever sober! Hi to Annie Moyes! A horrible manager called Lloyd Mortiss took over I hated him and left!
Lynn harvey ( nee Atherton)
8:16 pm, 19-May-2014
O.M.G The long report from Tony topping had me in stitches. Me and my mate Jean (Bithell) worked there in the 70's. We could not blag a job as barmaid( they had the best toga dresses, white with gold trim). We on the other hand had shitty green crimpoline ones.What I would give for a selfie of that.Right laugh!!
Tony Topping
10:07 pm, 31-May-2014
Thanks Lynn! Great days x
gary pick
3:32 pm, 10-Aug-2014
never ever stop remembering the fantastic night at Tiffs Blackpool, great holidays spent mid 70-early 80s in Blackpool especially during Glasgow holiday time, us guys from anywhere else could not fail with the girls. yes i remember those nights wandering around the outside of the dancefloor ha ha, still go back to the town on a regular basis. i know its changed but i still love the place. i would love to turn the clock back for just a short time to have another week in 70s Blackpool and have a few more nights a Tiffs. i wonder where Marion Mc Innes of Bellshill is now?? great times never forgotten
Tony Topping
10:42 am, 3-Sep-2014
Great days indeed Gary! :-)
Sue
7:25 am, 19-Sep-2014
Tiffanys Wimbledon. oh how I loved Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights there. We'd drink a bottle of Woodpecker or Olde English first. If it was pay day we had a small bottle of vodka and mixed it with lime. We would see the same faces there every week and every week we'd say we were going somewhere else but never did. Happy Days.
pete carver scandal
10:04 pm, 26-Sep-2014
Nice comments from Dave,from Dunstable Tiffanys. You mentioned many of the staff, but must have forgotten resident band Scandal, bandleader Pete Carver. From Sept 1975 to Jan 1981, I won the best band twice and was great friends with Trevor and Dorothy.
David
8:45 am, 1-Oct-2014
Hello Peter Carver. Yes, I remember the resident band and yourself whilst working at Dunstable Tiffs. Some of the best memories were listening to the band practise whilst I would be running across the nightclub with a trolley full of crates of drinks rushing them into the store room. I also remember bumping into you in a country pub in Tebworth. Hope you are well Peter and still playing.
Ritchie
10:31 am, 1-Nov-2014
For almost three years I was in the resident house band Jasons Flock at Tiffs Wakefield in the early seventies.The early part of the week we had to play for ballroom dancing.A great time was had by all.Its with sadness I recently learned of the passing of Stuart Jason.
rex
12:49 pm, 8-Feb-2015
don't know about opening in the late 70 we went there, sometimes, all weekends in the late 60s
rex
12:51 pm, 8-Feb-2015
ignor my last remark It was the Wimbledon one we went to
patricia
10:54 am, 18-Feb-2015
Hi to Peter Carver remembering'fabulous'nights at Tiffany's Dunstable dancing to resident band SCANDAL - the very best. Took all my friends there. Congratulations on your awards. Always knew you were a special band.
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