An ambitious but ill-fated modernist “super-pub” located to the north of the centre in what became one of the city’s most notorious red light districts. It opened in 1972, but didn’t last twenty years, and was demolished shortly after 2000. There is a brief summary of its history here. The site is now occupied by the Archway youth centre, as shown on StreetView, which itself now looks disused.
https://www.secretleeds.com/viewtopic.php?p=122468&sid=72ef6aa95b6b548f89d34db07d612684#p122468
ReplyDeleteA retired policeman's comment on Chapeltown pubs in general:
.......from the 1960’s, the Chapeltown area of Leeds became notorious for prostitution, drugs and all of the other crimes that are associated.
Besides many ‘legal’ clubs such as the International Club (and its many other names), the Lamporte Club, the Strega Club, Shaheen Club (and its other names) etc., etc., there were other pubs in the area such as the Hayfield Pub in Chapeltown Road and the Gaiety Pub, which was built in 1972, near to the premises of an old cinema of the same name, in Roundhay Road near to Spencer Place. Although a brand new pub with restaurant facilities (originally), the pub never became anything else other than a place for the local prostitutes, their ponces and drug dealers, besides other members of the criminal fraternity. There was live entertainment there and, at one time, ‘topless’ waitresses. There was always trouble there and on many occasions, the Police tried to get the place closed down. A similar set of circumstances took place at the Hayfield Pub. In the end, both pubs were closed down. This meant that the only large pub in the area was the Fforde Grene and many of the people who had frequented the Hayfield and the Gaiety, and plied their trade there, started to frequent the Fforde Grene (but not so much prostitution). In no time at all, the Fforde Grene had the same reputation as the other pubs, and eventually closed down.
Previously, if you wished to buy or sell drugs, buy or sell a firearm, buy or sell some stolen property or car, meet a prostitute or meet a diverse set of criminals then the Gaiety and Hayfield were the places to go. After these pubs were closed down, the Fforde Grene was the place to go for all of these activities. Not surpisingly, the Fforde Grene is now a supermarket.
More importantly, what was the mild like?
ReplyDeleteProbably keg.
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