Alt London Tours: Soho Gangland and the Fight that Never Was

When Jack Spot and Albert Dimes - two illegal bookmakers - met to fight in Soho in 1955, there was only one victim: the Truth. In an armed struggle to secure street betting territory, both men were left seriously injured, and one disfigured, during a vicious knife attack at the Continental Fruit Store on the corner of Frith Street.
Frith Street is home to Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and the hip Mod haunt Bar Italia. But it was once a centre for London's illegal betting in and frequented by shady criminals.
Part of Soho's appeal was, and still is, its nighttime scene of hot music, illicit sex, drinking and an undercurrent of criminal activity.
'The Fight that Never Was' typified the threat of violence always bubbling underneath the surface.
Join Flipside London Tours host Aidan McManus to find out more about the Soho Gangland scene and the characters who fought for dominance.
To see the Flipside of London that the history books don't tell you about visit www.flipsidelondontours.com/
Gangland Soho: www.flipsidelondontours.com/ga...
Soho Punk: www.flipsidelondontours.com/so...
Music, Movies, Murder and Mayhem: www.flipsidelondontours.com/mu...
Westway Walk: www.flipsidelondontours.com/we...

[@illuminant1129]

Thanks for that. Well presented ! And a fascinating little story. All happened two years before I was born.

[@Jethrovsky]

When betting shops were legalised in 1961 Albert Dimes opened a shop at 21 Frith St. He sold the shop to Charlie Short a few years later but because Charlie had a criminal record the licence was in his wife's name E. Fordham. Albert was a frequent visitor when I managed the shop & a nicer bloke you wouldn't meet.

[@michaelcrouch6356]

Used to know Hank janson ( Steve francis ) fella that wrote jack spots book. Lived in Roses Espanya. Smashing chap.

[@mcelesdee8530]

Just read jack spot king of the underworld very good a want billy hills book now aswel but it’s abit too much on eBay

[@MikeGreenwood51]

King cockroach you mean. Food of rats.

[@aldimeo6007]

Alberto Dimeo 💪

[@kiril1]

Jack Spo.:) Nice accent.

[@stevejessemey8428]

Ummmmmmm, uhhhhhhhhh, ahhhhhhhhhh, ummmmmmm. So bloody annoying.

[@RobinFearon]

Not easy to monologue without saying it. Try it