The Cromford Club was run by Paddy McGrath, an ex-boxer and friend to the famous - many sons of Manchester were his aquintance, from Matt Busby and his United players who wined and dined there, to Anthony H Wilson. Cromford Court was just off Market Street, on the right as you walked down towards Deansgate, just past Pall Mall which is on your left. Here is a photo looking into Cromford Court from Market Street in 1944, the Fatted Calf was off to the left. The Cromford Club, seen here in the 1950s (you can just about see the sign above the arch), was one of Manchester's first late night venues in the early 1950s and was often difficult to get into, remaining a popular haunt for the stars until its closure and demolition due to the Arndale Centre's arrival in the mid '70s.
I used to work for Jack McCall in the Northern Sporting Club as a waiter and one night he asked me to go down a few nights a week to work for Paddy after I finished at the Northern, No Problem Jack said I Wow what an eye-opener that was never saw so much money on the gambling tables, saw Cockney Bernie lose 14 grand one night Cops mixing with known villians it was all going on there What an education I got there.....GREAT
ReplyDeleteHi I have a membership Card for this club ( in my name as i was a member ) but at a later venue 10 Canal Street Manchester Membership card is dated febuary 1981
ReplyDeleteAny comments on this would be appreciated I was then 35 years old ( now 68 ! ) Regards and Happy memories Vic
Hello, thanks for the photo. Does anyone know anything about the Hadassiah Restaurant, which had an address in Cromford Court in 1952. It is possible that it was in a basement. I'm also looking for information about the Manchester County Forum which met there for talks etc.
ReplyDeleteWe found 2 chips in late fathers pocket both £25 chips one round red one and a pink one any info please
ReplyDeleteThe gambling licence belonging to Paddy was used by the PlayboysClup on Canal Street
ReplyDeleteI worked there when it first opened. The Playboy were not allowed a gaming license in Manchester so they opened under the name, "The Manchester Casino Club" with the license for the Cromford Club. It was never officially called, "The Playboy Club"
Deletethe Playboy club took over the Cromford Club in Cromford Square then subsequently moved to Canal Street. It was called the Playboy Club and remained so until closure relating to Gambling irregularities mainly committed at the London branch. I was a member.
DeleteMy Mum used to work for Paddy McGrath at the Cromford Club for years. She always told us kids of the famous people who frequented there. Happy memories.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember a waitress called Nellie who worked at the Cromford Club, She told us some stories of the famous when we got to be adults WOW!!! is all I’m saying!! 🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteMy dad used to take me to the cromford club in the nineteen fifties kids xmas parties etc. He used to have the barbers shop in the old corn exchange also shared a barbers shop with his brother on thomas street at one time.
ReplyDeleteI met Cockney Bernie with his cauliflower ear in the Y club in Castlefield in the mid 90s, he recognised me and my friends as up and coming villains. He gave good advice and was very entertaining. He was a link to a past generation of Manchester Jewish gangsters. Nice to read his name on this thread.
ReplyDeleteI worked for Paddy McGrath in the early 70’s at his trailer hire firm, Denis Law was a regular visitor and I used to brew up for him
ReplyDeleteDid anyone know of a man called Bobby McDermott he was known for the barrow boys.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone know Peter Jones who reportedly managed the Cromford Club in the 1950's ?
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