A lost Liverpool nightclub that was a household name in the city for years was loved for its live acts, atmosphere, serving chicken in a basket and more.
The Liverpool ECHO recently took a look back at nightspot the Wooky Hollow club, which started its life as The Belmont Road Picture House in 1914. Located on Belmont Road, Anfield, the site was leased to the Associated British Cinemas (ABC) chain, before being taken over by an independent operator and reopening as the Lido Cinema from 1938 until the late 1950s.
In the sixties, the Wooky Hollow theatre and cabaret club was one of several clubs, along with Falcon's Crest in Formby and Pickwicks on Fraser Street near London Road, owned by the late body-building champion and former Knowsley councillor Terry Phillips and partner Frank Sharrock. In 1968, a Liverpool ECHO advertisement described the new Wooky Hollow club as "the finest cabaret on Merseyside."
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It also said members could enjoy "wining, dining and dancing nightly in Liverpool's most luxurious theatre club." In its heyday, the Wookey Hollow featured such top names as Max Bygraves, Neil Sedaka and Freddie Starr.
ECHO readers have since been sharing their fond memories of the Liverpool club that "nothing has touched" since it closed. On our website, VVD97 said: "Ahhh…remember eating Scampi & Chips in a basket while watching The Drifters……Happy days.."
BarbN wrote: "I have many happy memories of waiting on tables there in the early 1970s." And Gerbill posted: "How about Tommy Cooper, Lovelace Watkins, Shirley Bassey. are just some of my wonderful memories.
On Facebook, Veronica Kennedy said: "Great club used to go every week saw some great acts does anyone remember the compares name think it was Bobby but can’t remember his second name." Rose Fairhurst wrote: "Loved the Wookey spent many a night there in early 70s – saw loads of artists there one of my favourites was Billy Fury – had my hen do there as well xx"
Audrey Morton said: "Great memories. Even boxing kangaroos, Bernard Manning being barred for bad language. But then wonderful Matt Munro, Bob Monkhouse, Max Bygraves and who could forget Lovelace Watkins? Great nights out. Ah, those were the days. How the youngsters miss out now. And we could afford to go on our very limited wages."
Jean Pooley said: "Saw many brilliant acts there. One of the most memorable was the late, great Ken Dodd. He went on so long that the management turned off the lights. Unfortunately for them, his microphone was left on, and he just carried on regardless! No one was leaving…he was so funny. It was after 3am when we left the Wookey that night! Fond memories of a wonderful man and a great venue."
Rita Ealey commented: "So glad we had nice clubs like this to go to, Loved it there." Patsy Mcmahon wrote: "Worked there for years some great nights and acts xx."
Alan Wright wrote: "Used to love the Wooky Hollow and its layout and table lamps on the tables and the fact that it got class acts and was local for me." Maureen Flannery wrote: "Yes I loved it. Gene Pitney and The Drifters at separate times of course. I lived 5 minutes away. Brilliant place."
Jayne Hilton Harvey posted: "My lovely dad used to perform there in 70's and 80's…he loved Liverpool x." Clare Woods posted: "Great place. In 71 a party of us and The Drifters were on. Chicken in a basket. Johnny Moore was on the next table to us with his wife in the interval. I've still got his autograph on a reserved table card. Fabulous nights out. We all didn't live far from The Wookey Hollow. Happy times."
Pat Thompson commented: "It was the best club in Liverpool Terry Phillips was the owner my husband and I went there regular to see all the top artists nothing has touched it since it closed." Diane Roberts commented: "They did a Christmas show for kids, I was lucky enough to go, lots of stars used to give up their time to entertain us. I’ve never forgotten it."
John J. Lydiat wrote: "We used to go there a lot, great club and atmosphere, lots of good memories…."Jackie Jones posted: "Had my hen night in there used to always go and see Tony Monopoly great nights."
Sheila Margaret Parr commented: "Oh fabulous nights at the Wooky, best club ever. All the top live acts, chicken in a basket, great dance floor. Never ever any trouble it was an amazing venue." Mary Lynn Hampson wrote: "I worked in Mr Pickwicks and was asked to go and work one night at the Wooky Hollow, as they were short staffed! Got to see Tony Christie, great night."
Neil Jupp said: "Loved the place, had my 18th and 21st in there." And Anne Roberts said: "Went here for my husband and his twin's birthday to see Jerry and the pacemakers he got them up on the stage and gave them a glass of champagne."
Do you remember the Wooky Hollow? Let us know in the comments section below.
But by the 1980s, the club as customers had come to know it was no more. In June 1981, partners Terry Phillips and Frank Sharrock decided to sell up as they felt the salary demands made by topline artists were making it unprofitable.
On October 21, 1981, the ECHO reported how a multi-thousand pound fire brought what was then thought to be "the final curtain down" on the Liverpool night spot. Neighbours, including former Wooky Hollow manageress Dolly Blackburn, were evacuated from their homes, as more than 70 firemen fought to bring the blaze under control.
Mr. Sharrock, who designed the club's interior, said at the scene: "This is a very sad day. When I look round inside, I can see every bit of stuff I put into it
"I can remember every nail we knocked in. I designed the club myself and worked until 3 a.m. every day with the lads getting it ready to open. In its day, it was probably the best club in Liverpool.
"We had good artists and a good clientele and never a spot of trouble. Nearly all the big names played here."
Repairs were later carried out and the site reopened as a club again in 1985, becoming known and loved to a new generation in the city. Known as Bedrock for some time, in February 1990, the ECHO reported how Liverpool's newest nightclub, The Wookey, was to open its doors, with Barney's Rubble disco bar, which also operated supervised nights for younger people, being located on the ground floor.
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Accommodating more than 400 people, the club also had a function suite for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and Christmas parties. The bar had an American theme with a reproduction of the Statue of Liberty, dating back to its more recent spell when it was known as Bedrock.
The year prior, the club was completely stripped down inside and rebuilt, now boasting plush carpets and beautiful parquet floors. In September 1995, firemen battled through thick smoke to fight a blaze at the site once more.
The club had been closed for some years and hit by vandal attacks. In later life, the building was altered to sell kitchen appliances, but the Wooky Hollow name lives on in the memories of all those who went there.
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