BRADFORD has had a lively nightclub scene for the past half century or so, but some venues were shortlived.

Photographs of Wall Street nightclub turned up in the Telegraph & Argus archive this week. The club, based in one of the architectural gems of Little Germany, opened in 1990 but, according to Julie Roper of Undercliffe, it didn’t last long.

“I went a few times. It was quite sophisticated inside, with chrome bar stools and a long sleek bar,” recalls Julie. “It seemed a more grown-up place than some of the other city centre bars. But it was one of those places that seemed to come and go within a year or two.”

In May 1990 the T&A reported: “Visitors to the newly launched Wall Street nightclub on Leeds Road are greeted by a blend of ancient and modern. On the ground floor a spacious wine bar is designed in authentic late Victorian or Edwardian style. But a walk up a flight of stairs takes visitors across a century in time and into another world.

“The Wall Street club, set on two levels, is convincingly in the world of the 1990s. A subtle use of mirrors provides an imposing impression of space.

“The club is the product of Country Rose Inns Ltd, of which Terry Gaskell is managing director. The organisation was launched seven years ago with a medieval banqueting centre at Eckington Hall near Sheffield. From there, the organisation launched itself onto the pub scene. Now the Wall Street club becomes the pilot scheme in the organisation’s Night Club Division. There are similar plans in the pipeline for Halifax, Leeds and Sheffield.

“Ron Weston, director of the new division, has plenty of experience behind him. He was 17 years with Mecca. He ran the Rooftop Gardens at Wakefield and then the renowned Toffs Club at York. General manager of the Wall Street club is Andy Ashton who spent six years at the Rooftop Gardens.

“Ron Weston is determined that the Wall Street club should be a sophisticated, upmarket establishment, targeted at an age group of 20 years upwards.

“There will be a strict code of dress. Jeans, T-shirts and trainers are definitely out.

“Says Ron: ‘Girls usually spend a lot of time and trouble making themselves look attractive. They make much of their hairstyle and the way they dress when they prepare to go out in the evening. I see no reason why men should not go to the same pains. If wives and girlfriends go to such trouble, then I believe their menfolk should also.’

“The resident DJ at the club is Steve Long, a local lad. To augment the club’s laser system, believed to be the only one of its kind in a Bradford club, there are special lighting effects - again, believed to be a first for Bradford.”

The T&A report ends with: “The group Tongue ‘N’ Cheek will be in concert tonight, the opening night.”

* Do you remember the Wall Street nightclub? Or how about the West End bar next to it? Email your nightclub memories to emma.clayton@nqyne.co.uk

Emma Clayton