Memories of landmark Nottingham dancing venue over the years

The globe on top of the building has been a Nottingham landmark for decades

The demise of one of Nottingham's most famous nightspots is being mourned by customers past and present.

During its near 100-year history, the venue in Lower Parliament Street has operated under various names, including Oceana, Palais and Ritzy's.

Rekom UK, the owners of its most recent incarnation as part of the Pryzm chain, confirmed it would close after the company went into administration.

Now generations of clubbers remember its impact on their lives and loves.

After decades of formal dancing, Rock and Roll led to slightly more carefree scenes

Opened in 1925, it took up part of the site of Nottingham's House of Correction - a prison for minor offenders.

It was originally billed as a dance hall and billiard saloon and resident house band was named the Syd Reubens Savannahs.

Daily tea dances took place at 3:00pm and music was often broadcast on the radio from the venue.

Nottingham historian Bob Massey said: "It was extremely important to the city and dancing was the number one pastime nationally.

"It was the place to go. In fact people came from all over, on buses and trains.

"If you could move half an inch on the dancefloor, you were lucky.

"It had a sprung dance floor like the best ballrooms and some of the big bands became nationally famous."

Northern Soul 'All-Dayers' were popular in the 1970s

So influential was the venue that it is believed to have produced its own dance in the 1930s, know as the Palais Glide.

Mr Massey said dancing remained popular through World War Two and after, though Rock and Roll meant it became less formal.

The Palais hosted 'All-Dayers' - long lasting dance events - with Northern Soul being a favourite theme in the 1970s.

It also hosted big name bands, included The Clash, New Order and Status Quo.

Elvis fans gathered outside to mourn his death in 1977

Since the 1980s it was been a well known disco and nightclub, catering for thousands of students and locals every week.

Some of them have been sharing their memories on social media.

Helen Hunt, from Arnold, said: "Three generations of our family have danced in the Palais.

"My parents-in-law in the 50s, myself and my husband in the 70s/80s and our daughter in the noughties. Happy days."

Suzanne McCallum's parents, Vaclovas Aleknavicius and Kate Domeyer,fled post-war Europe and met while dancing at the Palais

Tracey Wilson, from Nottingham, said: "My mum met my dad there and always says that dad called her a 'Palais pick up'.

"They almost made 50 years married before my dad sadly passed away."

Suzanne McCallum, who now lives in Derby, said: "My mum and dad met there after leaving a war torn Europe in 1947.

"Mum lived in Germany and Dad came from Lithuania. They were both working in Nottingham, she at Mapperley Hospital and he was at Nottingham University, and met at the Palais."

The club was among the businesses hit hard by the pandemic in 2020

Nicola Roulstone, who lived in Aspley Park at the time, said: "I remember going to the Trent Saturday Club on a Saturday afternoon at the Palais!

"A 'night club' for under 18s that was run in the afternoon to allow us the club experience before we were old enough! It was great!"

Carolyn Hallam, from Gedling, said: "Ritzy's night club in the 80s was the place to be.

"I was there one Sunday morning when the video to Spagna's "Call me" was videoed there.

"Only about seven of us turned up for the 'crowd' scene as she wasn't well known. But it was a great song with the Stock, Aitkin and Waterman feel.

"Not sure if they did produce it but I always ask for this song at parties and proudly announce - 'I'm in the video to this' (well the back of my head is anyway).

"Great memories of Ritzy's - shame to see it go!"