The Film Exchange was a members club that used to provide hardened drinkers with a place to sup during afternoon closing in the 1970s and early '80s. In the early '80s it had a membership scheme where three members had to vouch for you, then it was £4 a year [1]. I suppose it complemented the Press Club (which still provides all night drinking) and was apparently just as easy to get into so long as you were with or claimed to know a member [2]. The Film Exchange was close to the Hospital for Skin Diseases opposite the Opera House on Quay Street, seen in 1975 and 1988, and was an equally as elegant building. Sadly, both have been demolished and replaced with nondescript offices, as shown below.
Site of Hospital for Skin Diseases and Film Exchange, Quay Street. (c) googlemaps.
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ReplyDeleteThis is where Pat Phoenix and Tony Booth had their first date after reuniting in around 1979/80. Just looked up the pub after reading her mention it in her second book, 'Love, Curiosity, Freckles and Doubt'. Interesting page, shame no photos of the place.
ReplyDeleteI recall the film exchange very well as i worked on the fit out . We were polishers and finished all the wood work . Contract company was j.t. atkinsons builders from clayton . Club owner i recall was a gerald sumner. Resturant upstairs i think and main bar down stairs lots of memorabilia on walls etc . Recal anitta baker being played by the bar manager . Sadly it was wrong time wrong place and did not last . Chris henderon manchester the good days
ReplyDeleteSometimes I used to go there after work at about 5.30pm. I used to meet my very good mate Vinnie McCann.
ReplyDeleteJohnnie Briggs, Mike Baldwin from Corrie, sometimes met up with us. He didn't drink Scotch as in the show but gin and tonic.
Time forbids at the moment but I will come back with more info when time permits, just about to go to the Airport to fly home.
But if the name Vinnie McCann means anything he was one of the co-accused with Kevin Taylor and Dereck Britton who were shopped by Gerry Wareing inadvertently to the cops when he told a copper during a round of golf that he went on holiday with his boss on Kevin Taylor's boat, the Diogonese. His boss was John Stalker.
More from me when I get home.
Tony.
I used to go with my Dad who was an art director and knew lots of film & TV people. We once had a particular memorable lunch. Comedian Frank Carson was sitting on the next table and held court with his jokes and hilarious banter. I remember one of the restaurant managers being a lovely Portuguese guy. What a shame it's long gone. It had real character.
ReplyDeletethe film exchange was in the same building as woburn studios northern. a serious photo company based in London. The Northern director, from London was Laurie Crampton who started the film exchange, as in London, where photo chaps could go and have a studio and take pics and have a bite to eat. Except up North they just took pics !!
ReplyDeleteLaurie C quickly realised that the eating bit was more profitable and he hired a Spanish couple to run the food and drink side and away it went.
After many years his London people decided that they could charge a good membership fee so the Granada people rebelled and formed their own and by- by Film Exchange......Plus Jose and his wife, the manager, departed and bought a 18 bedroom hotel in Barcelona'
They also opened in the front the Roast Beef and Mufffin take away which saw queues all down quay street cos it was before Mcdonalds and better !!!!
All sadly demolished now.
It as a great part of the city and a extra was they opened the Roiast Beef and Muffu=