The Locarno (Sale)

The Locarno. Sale, Manchester. Dave Plumb writes; "I started at 16 as a bouncer at Sale Locarno and was asked one evening if I would play some records as the DJ had cried off, this was in 1957. I started as one of two DJs and our role was to play the records whilst the live band had its compulsory music union breaks, after about 2 months the manager asked us if we would like to play records in shifts and they would lose the live band on Mondays and Fridays for this we were offered the princely sum of £1 10/- per night. Sale Locarno was I believe built as a swimming pool with dance floor that fitted over when required, it was a very large venue, taking 1500 people. It was a Mecca dancing venue, I think. Besides the the DJ's it had most of the early Merseybeat bands on - The Big Three, The Merseybeats, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Emile Ford and the Checkmates etc. Never The Beatles though. There was no alcohol on sale in the venue so if you wanted a drink you had your arm stamped and off you went to the pub. The evening started at 7pm and finished at 10.30pm on Monday and 11pm on Friday." (Submitted 29.03.08)