Manchester Underground. The BRSA club

This video is about Underground Manchester. The BRSA club was the British Railways staff association club. The club was for the railway workers and was a kind of working mans club. The club is underneath Todd street in next to Manchester Victoria Railway station. Now in an abandoned state is has recently been put up for sale. So now is a good time to show my archive footage.

[@josephdaly7102]

Martin in the late 60s this club was known as the Old Vic Club we used to travel from Wythenshawe after the pubs closed because as far as I remember the club was open till the early hours because the Railway workers worked shifts, so they could always get a drink, it was the same for the Newspaper Workers. That Door at the top of the stairs had one of those little sliding hatches so you’d knock and a pair of eyes would appear asking if you was a member, if you weren’t you had to pay a membership fee, but funnily enough even if you took the little card they gave you when you went again it was always no longer valid and you had to pay again. I don’t remember the set up of the club as we were bladdered when we got there and paralytic when we left. In the Seventies I worked as a Bricklayer on Cheethams School Of Music And whilst a JCB was digging they found the ancient remains of an old stone bridge, they got a in to survey it and all he found was a scabbard, at that time they assumed that at one time a river may have run under it but that it had been diverted, they may know more now, but that picture of where the Irk runs would have sent it right near where the bridge was found in Cheethams. Cheethams decided to build a viewing window so the bridge could be seen and me and my mate Derek built brick pillars for the window although we never saw the finished article. If Cheethams will let you in you could have a look at it and possibly find out more about it. Cheers Joe.

[@philmuller-geib3361]

Great piece of information!!!

[@andrewpearson3365]

Hi Martin. Another trip down memory lane for me following the Hulme Hippodrome piece. In the days when I used to trade a Professor Pearson I did a Punch & Judy show for the railwaymen's kids in the BSRA club back in the late 70s or early' 80s. The club's social secretary was a My Box whose name I remember mainly because he used to phone my home (I then lived with my parents) regularly to conform dates, times and details. and talk my dad's socks off. He was, perhaps inevitably, nicknamed Mr Chatter Box. The entrance I used to unload the puppets and props was a flight of steps down from the station concourse at the Withy Grove end but that may have been mainly used for deliveries or as an entrance for the 'turns'. As ever thanks for the memories and a great video.

[@petermartin3818]

The BRSA as an organisation was a huge link with the social backbone that supported the welfare of the railway industry staff and families. Nearly every town and railway centre had a BRSA club somewhere. Bigger places like Stratford in my area, and Manchester in yours had 2 or 3. Every major hub was linked in on a national basis. The organisation supported numerous spin off activities with national and inter-regional sports competitions, from cricket, bowls, darts, rugby, football, fishing etc., and had links to some of the European railways like the SNCF and Nederland Spoorwegan with trips and visits arranged to depots and workshops. Many were affiliated to the CIU working clubs that abounded in back streets, and hark back to the pre- privatisation days of British Rail. When the controversial privatisation took place and the railway organisational infrastructure was effectively blown to smithereens, the BRSA was part of it. Some survived as private clubs after the beakup, but as far as the railway was concerned, it is a sad indictment on the way the social demograph has changed over the years. Happy days. Think I've still got my membership card somewhere! Splendid bit of history now forgotten, and probably not known by many.

[@iLuvTenerife]

Fascinating Martin - what a gem those arches are . Would love to see a 3D model of how it fits together with the station and culvert.

[@MartinZero]

I must admit the club is right by the culvert

[@petergriffiths369]

Make one out of card and show me. Use Weetabix cartons or card from Poundland. Or do it in 00 scale, download an arch, put it on paint or paint dot net to make the sizes right. If you are using cartons then you can print onto paper and PVA. Now you can use it on your model railway. If you are clever you can do it on a 3D graphics editor. As for the plan and dimentions you may find that on line. You can survey it with a long tape or lazer and a sheet of graph paper. From looking at the video it would be easy.

[@wilsoncalhoun]

Man, what kind of person sees a leaded stained glass window and says to themselves, "Now what this needs is a good coat of paint?"

[@mitchelledwards8710]

A Gobshite that’s what kind of person lol

[@jessewilson8676]

No one ever however if it is a thick coat of lead based paint....

[@tomwagner6334]

Damn fascinating. As an old bricklayer myself I’m in awe continuously with Martins videos and subscribers input. Thank you!

[@barrycoomer8137]

Spent some time in there back in 1986 when I was at the BR Signalling School. The school was in the station buildings at Victoria. Shame to see the place in such a state. Great video as always. 👍

[@pimpmydiecastsdiecastandto3176]

br's signalling model railway layout that was at victoria signalling school was saved and is now at the national railway museum in York .. they give demmos on special arranged days

[@barrycoomer8137]

@@pimpmydiecastsdiecastandto3176 it didn’t work very well when I was there sadly.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Barry

[@DeCasoU1]

@@barrycoomer8137 Sadly little or nothing associated with the Science/NRM works. It has become too much of a railway themed childrens' play area with the smells associated with old machinery masked by those of food from the food outlets. The process of destroying the legacy of the likes of Margaret Weston and many others continues.

[@2H80vids]

@@DeCasoU1 Everything now has to be "interactive activities" all set for "interpretation" to make the experience fulfilling and wholesome.🤔 Heaven forbid that someone would want to "look at stuff".😒 "Museum quality" used to be a real compliment; not so much nowadays. As you say, the kiddie-friendly fun areas have taken over so many fantastic museums, with York being one very obvious example. So many treasures are stored out-of-sight at York, while oddball displays take up prime locations. Any railway museum should have a "museum quality" model railway on show, operated by someone who knows what they're doing for all the hours that the place is open. I'm surte a carefully worded advert in the relevant publication would turn up a queue of willing operators who'd man the controls free of charge.

[@roblubelski422]

Sunday evening complete! Another great video. Great to take a trip back in time. Great work Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Rob

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Gosh I enjoyed that. Think that may be a tarsus it went on forever. Hope it all gets done up. Such a beautiful place. Thanks so much for taking me along I loved it. Please stay safe and take care

[@elizabethannferrario7113]

hi Martin ,i worked ten years as a railway nurse and yes delightful drivers loved them very respectful , but all staff needed a trackside health certificate, to ensure that staff were healthy , hearing , sight , to ensure they were safe to be on or near a running line ,plus to ensure they were safe if taking medication , we had a great time with them all in any field of railway jobs .

[@tracya4087]

my grandad was a signal man , i now have so much i wish i could ask

[@MartinZero]

Great stuff Elizabeth

[@samuelbriant1514]

I have a wonderful memory of my Father taking me to a great Christmas party there. Even after 50 years i can still recall the smell of beer that you got when you first walked down the steps. Happy days.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Samuel

[@samuelbriant1514]

A pleasure Martin and thankyou for the video tour that was very interesting. I always wondered what happend to the club after all the properties opposite the front of Victoria Station were demolished. I assumed it had been filled in during the demolision. It is a shame that it could not be used now for a worthy cause as suggested by one of the people making comments on your video as for example, a shelter.

[@viennacat1]

Very 'Phoenix Club'! Victoria Station has some fascinating places hidden from public view! Amazing spaces, always enjoy your exploits around Manchester Martin 😊

[@MartinZero]

Yes very Phoenix Peter. And yes I know those places 😉

[@rogerking2888]

Proof that life was better in te past. Workers were once treated with respect. Fascinating video. Thanks

[@claire28star]

Amazing place. I spent my childhood in there as my mum worked there from the 80s right up until it closed.

[@shauntodd7123]

Fantastic explore Martin and allways good to see your work

[@Hairnicks]

Such a shame these work clubs are all closed. In the 80's I was a bobby and every division had it's own social club, it made us a family and we could go to the other divisions clubs as well, we also interacted with other working mens clubs and did skittles and darts and the like. It made for a magnificent relationship with the community and the world and the police force were a better place then when we mixed and socialised, even with our local naughty boys who we had a friendship and begrudging respect for each other.

[@TheDoosh79]

Same with the Fire Brigade, the station my old man was at that I played at as a kid is long gone, but it had its own bar and pool room, the men would play darts and skittles at all the local pubs, clubs and miners welfares, they'd put christmas parties on for the kids at the fire station and the men and women would regularly get together for "dinner and dance" dos throughout the year. All that social aspect as gone now.

[@stephensmith4480]

I am proud to say that I was a member of the BRSA. I have been to the club that was under Man Picc many times but never went to Victoria. In Liverpool we also had two clubs that were near me, The Cheshire Lines club and T LMS club ( The Burnsall ) there was one or two others scattered around the city as well. Great Video mate.

[@scottrobson6932]

Great video Martin👍 my wife said she worked there 1983 - 1984 she said it bought back memories watching this 😊😉

[@MartinZero]

Brilliant, tell her I wish I could of spoken to her before the video to find out what it was like

[@mikeclarke3882]

Hi Martin, as usual a great peek behind the door, thank you. I can't say anything about that particular BRSA club, but my dad was the sports secretary for the Old Trafford/Stretford club for a while back in the 1960's. I still recall going around town with him when he bought prizes for the annual sports day. Nothing fancy, sets of glasses, decanters, and for first place, a set of silver plated fish knifes. As I recall the North Western region held their annual event in Crew. At Christmas the club put on a huge party for the kids, me and my siblings included. Games, jelly, blancmange, sandwiches, and orange cordial. Tea made with sterilised milk...yuk!!! And always, a visit from Father Christmas. Throughout the year the club operated like a working men's' club, but also had a waiter service restaurant, and if I recall correctly, had acts on at the weekends. It was a different time of course, when entertainment was acquired in the real world not a virtual one. All long gone now, but the club used to stand close to where the Throstle Nest Bridge is today. And in case anyone's wondering, 'Throstle' is an old name for a song Thrush. With all the development since the 60's, I doubt there's any birds nesting around their now.

[@andyhill242]

An interesting little gem Martin, glad you decided to publish it! Whatever it gets developed into, I hope they preserve the original features. like the tiles and arches.

[@MartinZero]

Hope so, I love those tiled bricks

[@michellethompson1422]

Thanks Martin. I went to a family party down there many years ago, but we went in through the entrance just inside Victoria Station, on the left down the steps.

[@MartinZero]

Oh wow, so you saw it back in the day

[@ponyboymb]

Great video 👍 thanks for sharing. What a lovely old massive building. Great to see inside. Hope you're doing well 👍👍✌🏼

[@MartinZero]

Hello !!! Long time no see

[@ponyboymb]

@@MartinZero still here fella. Watch all your vids, just forgot to comment on them 🙃🤟🏼 always great viewing 😉 stay happy 🤟🏼🤟🏼🙅🏻‍♂️

[@billydale9779]

Wow all the year’s from the 80s cleaning the windows on the station and sitting outside this place and that’s what it looks like inside very interesting thanks Martin

[@flyingfox7854]

What a great video ...... but also what a wonderful example of a wasted opportunity to create a new world class music venue and public space ( we could have had our own Cavern Club here in Manchester)....... similar to High Street/Hathersage Road Baths ....... left to decay instead of being kept in daily use ....... eventually it’s left to volunteers and public appeals for money to restore these unique locations back to their former glories ........ thanks to you Martin for recording this wonderful place for future reference ............

[@TonyWilliampianoman]

So the Hammond Organ I used to play has gone - ha-ha. Yeah I did weekends. I think I did Saturdays and Derek Thompson did Sundays. The drummer (I forget his name) came from Hazel Grove. The compere was a great lady called Clare (or Claire). Well I'm not gonna work there again mate . . . Ok as you looked at the stage, on the left Clare was in that compere's box. Then the Drummer, then a gap to allow Artistes to make a grand entrance on stage (haha) then little ol' me or Derek Thompson sat at a Hammond. Yes, nice club. Very friendly, nice beer, nice atmosphere. My first M/cr Club was Lightbowne Liberal Moston by the way :) I travelled to BRSA from Wilmslow, although originally from Stockport (and now Staffy Moorlands) I've also got scans of Club News from late 70s Martin (I was Pianist at Pontins Prestatyn then). There were 2 other BRSA Clubs in M/cr then too. You'll find a contact e-mail on some of my videos. Yeah bring your bike sometime and I'll take you to old remaining railway lines that used to circle Stoke. Cheers.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much for the insight 👍

[@Juddx1977]

Really good video pal always wondered what that building was when walking past, unbelievable to think that its all under the road and paths that I've walked many a time. Love the videos keep them coming I've caught up on all your others now so will have to start them again.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Judd

[@UsualmikeTelevision]

What a fascinating place to explore! Great video Martin

[@christopherwright1795]

I worked at Victoria at this time(and still do as a driver) I remember the staff club the building above (hairdressers)was built after previous buildings had burnt down in 1985/86 , I remember going in the club , playing pool and it was busy but ! The railway was going through a transformation at the time , in a bid to rid the railway of its drinking culture which had become unacceptable and rightly so , new rules came into force meaning that employees could be breath tested if suspected of alcohol consumption, the limit was lower and later became zero to pass the test and many employees were dismissed , and also going into licensed premises whilst on duty became an absolute Nono , it killed places like this , and some staff even just got up and left or retired , it’s something that can never be brought back as the people and that culture are gone for ever , but that amount of real estate just left , you couldn’t live In it , but it would all make a wiked night club if ever night clubs become fashionable again , I don’t know what else it could be though

[@martynbertalan9143]

Really enjoyed this video Martin. Keep up the good work.

[@xxxxxxxxxxhardy]

I remember visiting the club in the early seventies when I was a footplateman at Leeds.We would call in when working newspaper trains back over the Pennines to Yorkshire.There were also a fair number of print workers in there too.Happy days which I suppose are now viewed as unsafe.

[@rob1134]

What a place Martin. Can almost smell the great atmosphere it would have had. Back then in these working clubs and such, you would need a fog light strapped to the back of your head due to the many smokers. That place must have been dense with it being below ground.

[@MartinZero]

Proper working mens club Rob 😃

[@TonyWilliampianoman]

Yes it was, along with other Clubs especially Greenbrow Social Wythenshawe. I'm lucky - into my 70s and didn't get the dreaded disease Roy Castle got.

[@alland1241]

@@TonyWilliampianoman Greenbrow Social, I grew up in there, moved away in 83

[@debbiepitcher9806]

Martin where have you been we’ve missed you, I’ve not missed any so I can only guess lockdown is restricting you style 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 we love your style come on we want more more and more 🥰. It would make a nice wine bar ☹️☹️ or a homeless shelter a big homeless shelter Manchester needs it. A place full of promise.

[@MartinZero]

I had one out last week as well, where have you been 😃😃😃👍

[@tonydeleo3642]

It is a shame that we have lost the social aspect, the "family" part of the workplace. I feel that our society is diminished and we are more isolated because of it.

[@leeboy2k1]

This is how Empires treat their peasant classes, they swap one religion replacement out for another societal norm, see the 'overton window' Privaleges are allowed as and when necessary to keep us placated. "A nation dies when God dies in the hearts of men" Doestevsky

[@simonrichards6739]

I used to work for Network rail, but I’m too young to have gotten in there, but some of the older fellas have told me stories. They used to finish on a Friday have a few drinks and then get a lift home on the mail trains out of redbank. I’ve been under Victoria for work and it’s scary.

[@MartinZero]

The place is massive isnt it Simon

[@dchalkie]

I’ve had a few pints in there Martin many years ago. Thank you👍

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Nice one Martin , June 1991 in the paper I had just met my now wife and the 1994 sell by date was the year we got married . . It was like War of the worlds .... A brave new world underground 😉🧱👍🏽

[@ronniebiggs4026]

Glazed tiles or Glazed Bricks Steve?

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

@@ronniebiggs4026 Ay up Ronnie nice to see you here pal . I’m going for glazed brick 🧱😉🧱👍🏼

[@MartinZero]

Cheers guys, 😃👍

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

@@MartinZero 🧱👍🏽

[@petertrevena804]

Another great video. I love learning about anything.

[@knoxieman]

Loved this one mate, in fact your last 2 videos have been top drawer your really getting very good at this and you edit and present the material like a professional company would do, thanks for your time and effort.

[@roytabberer7427]

Title - Exploring Underground Manchester. River Culverts and Hidden Bridges Uploaded - 24 Jun 2019 The above is the info that you couldn't remember. Loving all of your videos, thanks for doing them for us.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Roy

[@TheNapalmFTW]

I have walked out of that door at vic for my entire life but never realized what that building was across the street. Thanks Martin.

[@NtasticShop]

Been trashed since I was in there in 2008, it was still in as closed down condition dirty plates on tables, snooker table, stage, empty beer bottles in crates. Sanitary ware was removed before 2008. I have meet some one who was their the night it closed, they drank the place dry for free.

[@Littlewing6was9]

I sulked for a bit last night coz i couldn't see you on my feed. Then i remembered it was Saturday. I'm planning lots of days out this year, some you've visited. Lots of train rides. Trains always have many interesting things at their destinations. Thanks MZ love and Blessings Always from Manchester ☄️🌼

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. Cant wait till this LD is over

[@Littlewing6was9]

@@MartinZero What LD I'm just waiting for the sun! Its all bollocks Martin, but i think you know that already. Love and Blessings Always ☄️🌼

[@TheWacoKid1963]

Martin those cans are pre 90s straight cans, some have the old style ring pulls and I wouldn't be surprised if they also had welded seam at the back of them.

[@MartinZero]

I always miss details like that, am such an oaf

[@Dave64track]

Good to see your safe and well on a Sunday night. Interesting place I bet it looked really good back in the day with all the tiled brickwork nice and clean amazing really how it was build into that underground space.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah that undercroft is massive David

[@2H80vids]

I was in one of the railway clubs in Manchester back in the day but I'm not sure which one. I think there were a few and I've a funny feeling I was in a different one. There's a fair bit of footage out there, showing this club, not long after it closed. It's good to hear it might be getting a new lease of life, maybe tinged with a wee bit of sadness too. Not too much to see nowadays Martin, except that fine tiling, but thanks for taking us back down there for one last look at the old club.👍👌😁

[@daveconyard8946]

Thanks Martin, All those echo's of laughter in the darkness of long ago, Keep safe ! 👍

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Dave

[@richbrookes9297]

Another masterpiece, taking us to place's we cannot go. Thanks Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Rich

[@stretford_ender]

New subscriber here, came across this randomly yesterday. Great video Martin, I just thought the old hairdressers was an odd building. Very interesting. Will be watching some of your others soon!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Pete

[@oldmanhuppiedos]

A special place, especially as a foreigner very special.

[@jacvoe7]

Thanks Martin. I love watching these videos. If I weren't a nurse then I'd be exploring like you. Keep doing these amazing videos and stay safe x

[@UTubeThePatient]

Lovely video, especially the arches. Reminds me of (the tour you can do post CoVid) under Mcr Central Station. A friend visited the Manchester Victoria BRSA and mentioned that it was mostly crowded, smoke-filled with mustard-yellow paint on most walls. There were a few pubs/clubs like that in the 80s like the International but this was also underground and muggy. Martin, did you do the Victoria Undercroft tour before the 90s Nynex/Victoria Stadium redevelopment? I missed it. And the Irk vlog was a gem. The arches remind me of the undercroft and funicular under Bristol Temple Meads that the Tim Dunn programme investigated on Yesterday TV Channel last month. Another comment below mentioned Cheetham's School - sadly they don't do tours any more. There used to be popular as people saw where Marks and Engels regularly met in a library. Before it was a school I think.

[@chrisperry7963]

Wow, that is a labyrinth, such a lot of space. Thanks for the video Martin!

[@leeproctor7622]

Wow you read my mind I was just thinking about the BRSA club We went there with my family 👪 all the time my father was a reservation clark at Piccadilly for years I used to go down the club all the time I can remember steps going down to the arches from just outside Piccadilly Station entrance. Such great memories 🙂🙃🙃🙂🙃🙂🙃

[@leeproctor7622]

Sorry mate I thought you were talking about Piccadilly BRSA Club underneath Piccadilly Station i wonder if it's still there maybe you could do some digging please I would love to know xxxccc 😇😇😇

[@dafyddr8678]

Brilliant video Martin. The many times I have walked over that place and never guessed that it had an underground ! I know the station itself has an amazing underground structure. I'll always wonder what you experienced when I walk over it. Shame it has been blocked but thank you for sharing the experience. Stay Safe.

[@cosmicwartoad2587]

Saw your video about the old building in Hulme and walked past it last week,

[@CliffMcAulay]

Thank you for this insight into underground Manchester. Fascinating.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Cliff

[@shirleylynch7529]

Brilliant vlog. How sad to see the place so dejected. Would be great to see it restored. Thank you Martin.

[@28YorkshireRose12]

It makes you wonder what it was before it became a social club - Those arches are trying to tell us something, but all the 'new' features of the club are getting in the way. That painted out leaded glass window would very likely have once opened out to a pavement light - Have you ever noticed those small square glass blocks, set into a cast iron grid embedded in the pavement? York was almost paved with the things. They are, or were, pavement lights, a light-well designed to admit daylight into basement level rooms. I'd bet that leaded glass window was once a richly decorated window, akin to the ones we can still find in old pubs today. It was most likely dimpled glass with red rose motifs and green leaf bordered panels, and possibly had milk-glass panes with the name of the club (or whatever predated it) emblazoned into the panes. The toilets back there were clearly a much later adjunct, and without a doubt the reason why the glass was painted over in the first place (a job done as cheaply as possible). A nice little place, but as the railways pared back their staff numbers, these places became increasingly harder to justify as the attendance figures would have plummeted. I could almost imagine Jack Regan and George Carter paying a flying (squad) visit to a place like this!

[@countesscable]

I am also bursting to know what that place looked like in its ‘naked’ state, and know what it was previously. Loved the cavity with an arch and long drop through the painted glass

[@matthewgriffiths8423]

Brilliant Martin. I bet there has been many many a good time enjoyed their. Echoes of the past. Love it :)

[@pimpmydiecastsdiecastandto3176]

i was one of those echoes , often pissed in there

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Matthew

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Top banana! Looking forward to this one

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@garyleroy6999]

As a subscriber to zeros vids, I am hardly surprised to find another who's videos I have also enjoyed as much, is also on here. Top marks for the "Runcorn" tune on your exciting trundle up the cut Bee! Martin, I thought when he came from behind the glass with his phone, he'd taken an image of the stained glass from the other side.🙄 bathroom selfie lol.

[@stevesrepairs5778]

Thanks Martin, I never knew it was there after going in and out of Victoria Station hundreds of times. Take care and all the best. Stevie

[@LoftechUK]

Blimey it’s been ages and two years makes loads of difference….. well done everyone

[@King786_]

I know this place before. So far no buyers. Fascinating Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@lorrainemerry8661]

Hi Martin.Ive really missed your videos. ive not had a computer for a while, but im back and catching up on what ive missed.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Lorraine, glad your back

[@tonybowker2430]

The advert for support of Broughton House brought back some memories. When I was a kid, some of my parents friends parents lived there when unable to cope with regular life due to infirmity or old age.

[@triffidgrower]

A very enjoyable wander with you today, even though this club was operated with approval. A few years ago, I laughed heartily at the outrage of latter day management and new age journos, when a smaller "snug" was discovered behind a locked door in the labyrinth beneath Central (Sydney Terminal) Station here in Oz. It wasn't on any plan, or known generally, but probably founded by a select group with a bit of the devil in them. Personally, having worked on the Railway, over fifty years ago, I hope that they got away with murder whilst on the job, because in my day, doing the job properly always came first, anything else that you could manage, was for your own benefit. Great video...thanks.

[@mancunianace8428]

Brilliant footage. As I've got older ive always been interested in the various tunnels under Manchester. I remember the entrance to the under ground market near Beaties model shop as a kid in the 80s, sadly I never went down. Think my dad said all the druggies went down their lol!!!!

[@MartinZero]

I remember Beaties on Brown street. My dream shop as a kid. The underground market was great. Cheap clothes and trainers. Rare Records, tapes. There were no druggies 👍🏼

[@a40a40]

Played there with my mate as a duo in the 80s. Great atmosphere. Days gone by.

[@davidmills636]

Fascinating. Obviously well appointed when it was built given the efforts they went to. Thank you.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers David

[@stevepavett7101]

Brilliant video as always and more of a Wow those newspapers I was 6 days old then !

[@thesolidsnakealpha]

Fascinating video, Martin. Reminds me of the NAAFI at RNH Haslar. God bless mate🙏

[@paulnunn8185]

I’ve worked in there about 8/10 years ago putting a cable in for the coffee shop above, and also a lot of lights in the tunnels lower down.I found an old book/diary in there on the bar with names of bands / singers with a price that the venue had paid them. Where the DJ booth area is the mixing desk was there and also the motor for the mirror ball was still turning which I found very Eerie. There was also a drinks price list on the wall bitter 80p a pint and whisky £1.20 etc.

[@dtb2654]

I reckon my father has been in there many times as he worked for BR for 40 years at Ardwick, Trafford Park & Piccadilly, sadly I can't ask him as he passed in 2018 but would have been very interested in this video, remembering dad, many thanks Martin 👍

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, yes I bet he had a swift pint in there

[@pimpmydiecastsdiecastandto3176]

maybe but he was more likeley to have been at piccadillys social club working that area

[@dtb2654]

@@pimpmydiecastsdiecastandto3176 we'll never know, but after 40 years working the area for BR I expect he did visit. I can see the smile on his face now if he had seen this along with many stories no doubt 😁

[@pimpmydiecastsdiecastandto3176]

@@dtb2654 as i said maybe ,, but the area he worked was a different area and they rarely crossed but you cannot rule out events the area he worked had thier own club at picadilly station your father in the areas he worked was mostly the electrified lines and victoria the diesels as i said it was a maybe and not totaly unfeseable but it is more likeley he frequented piccadillys club

[@dtb2654]

@@pimpmydiecastsdiecastandto3176 exactly maybe, but as I stated he worked for BR for 40 years and during that time anything is possible!

[@pilpelet100]

Thanks Martin. You do take us to some fascinating places. It must have been great in its heyday.

[@MartinZero]

Would have been good to see, But I couldnt find any pics

[@rydermike33]

Great stuff Martin, thank you. Hope that place is redeveloped. It would make a great live music venue!

[@andrewfound3269]

Great video Martin thank you another informative video about Manchester past . I wonder what bands and singers played at the club the stars of the seventies on the club circuit. Cheers Martin Keep the faith Dorset Andy 🐝🐝

[@MartinZero]

Yeah Id like to know as well Andy. Thanks

[@davidhodkinson5164]

Excellent very interesting, those Victorians knew how to build . Did you know there was another of these clubs under Piccadilly station . Already eager for your next adventure keep safe .

[@tracya4087]

hiya martin . short but sweet . wheeltappers or shunters i wonder if bernard was ever there and thanks again for your help . ps don t forget the twenty bridges it s stunning please take a look on youtube . god bless from nick and tracy . still in wigan . still in lancashire

[@MartinZero]

Did you get the CD ?

[@tracya4087]

@@MartinZero tracy worked it out thanks for your vid . it also helped when she was sober

[@ivanhockenhull2604]

I remember this place as a hairdresser's. What an astonishing place, Martin. Had no idea of its previous incarnation. Walked past it every day when I worked at Strangeways. Full marks again. 🇯🇪

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Ivan

[@bobingram6912]

That brought some memories of working the clubs back in the seventies - soggy beer carpets, cigarette smoke as thick as fog, dodgy electrics and none to sanitary facilities, happy days!!!!!!

[@MartinZero]

Yeah I bet it was like that

[@fryxc.doncaster3483]

Loving these old buildings videos need to come down to doncaster we got an old grand theater. Old swimming pool there on KZbin...awesome Martin thank you

[@tracya4087]

love donny friendly people

[@MartinZero]

That sounds good

[@mickylad1]

Remember going in there in the 1970s when i was little with me dad who worked on the newspapers........

[@whotknots]

The spot with all the drink cans in front had a ceiling in the slightly elevated space behind that looked like one of those old fashioned skylights made of an iron frame with thick glass squares in them set into pedestrian footpaths. The exotic hardwood tiles comprising the parquetry floor of the club might well be worth a small fortune these days.

[@keithwellens]

What an absolutely beautiful building. I would love a go at changing this into something.

[@williebobs3830]

You can. Just buy it.

[@kw1984]

Great video Martin. One part of underground Manchester I've not seen or heard of before.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@seany84uk]

What a good video! Im sure there used to be a stairwell within victoria station that would have been a club entrance? it was near where the shop and toilets. Ive not been in victoria station in at least 10 years!

[@briancopp4024]

Wonderful video Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Brian

[@DC-ev3oo]

If my memory serves me well, there was a similar Railway Club under the Piccadilly Approach arches on Ducie Street

[@wideyxyz2271]

Nice bit of hard wood parquet flooring (probably ebony) worth a lot of money if you could retrieve it lol......Great video as always. I wonder what it was before it was a club? Judging by the tiling and the mouldings it was something quite important worth a bit of research me thinks.

[@colinmurphy2127]

I remember my late Cousin telling me that he used to watch Jazz groups in that club...so probably in the 60's.

[@bernardhilton3527]

Would there have been a way through to the station undercroft? Possibly the view through the missing window pane? Next time I come out of the station I will know what I am looking at. Thanks Martin.

[@anneforster510]

My Dad made new bar counters etc all across Greater Manchester in the 70s, also had the Watneys contract to do the same in their pubs. Often wonder if any of the bars are still around 😂

[@MartinZero]

More than likely Anne

[@Lepusrabbit]

Lovely that place is crawling with history !

[@mattblack7876]

Top notch video Martin and those white tiles rule methnks! -stay safe ...

[@MartinZero]

Yeah they look really good Matt

[@martinwooder4174]

Just came back from another trip to Highgate cemetery. Well worth the trip down to walk around. Manage to put torch and phone through the air holes of some vaults. Amazing how some oak coffins are intact after 100+ years. Some just the lead inner coffin left. Some vandalised and torn open.

[@MartinZero]

I would love to see that Martin

[@douglasthompson296]

Flamin hell that was an enormous sized place and for most folks only that old domed top at Street level gives it away. I only knew it as a hairdresser space. Shame about that painted over stained window too. The cafe in the station was ace in its heyday and the ticket counter too.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah Victoria has some gems in it Douglas

[@bluepurgatory2927]

I can remember the entrance being inside the station at the side of the gents toilet. There was stairs leading down from ground level

[@pimpmydiecastsdiecastandto3176]

correct , the original entrance ,, if i remember correctly the entrance opposite the station was built in the 80s to update the building for fire safety due to only having one entrance

[@peterdean8009]

@@pimpmydiecastsdiecastandto3176 Ah... that would explain why the 'arty farty' entrance looks so out of place with the inside of the club.

[@richardevans372]

Hi I remember going in the club when I started on the railways in 84 you have to be a member and 12p a week came out of your wages to go in any railway club in England there was two in Manchester and a few in the suburbs

[@teresaoswell6981]

Wow Martin thank you that was so interesting the underground structure is amazing such a shame it was let to get in a state but fingers crossed for its future thanks again love your videos you do a great job so informative well done 👏 Teresa

[@Simon_Nonymous]

Bit necro I know but my neighbour's dad used to play drums in a band there, and she remembers it from the late 80s early 90s! He was also the drummer in the resident band at the Embassy when Bernard Manning was still the main attraction.