Music is over at Jilly's Rockworld

After four decades of weathering shifting musical tastes, two of Manchester's most famous music clubs have finally closed their doors.

The owner of Jilly's Rockworld - famous under its previous name of Fagin's - and the Musicbox - previously known as Rafters - has called time on both venues after struggling to find new audiences.

During its Seventies heyday, crowds flocked to Fagin's to watch top stars Cliff Richard, Morecambe and Wise, and Lulu perform.

Well-heeled patrons were wined and dined as they enjoyed gags by comedy greats Tommy Cooper, Dave Allen and up-and-coming stars such as Billy Connolly.

Beneath the Oxford Street cabaret, was sister venue Rafters, a disco and rock club which launched the career of Joy Division.

But John Bagnall, who has owned both clubs since 1981, said he was shutting down the business, blaming the smoking ban and competition from new music venues.

He told the M.E.N: "There has been a decline in the business. People have not been coming through the door the same as they used to.

Competition

"There are a lot of smaller rock clubs in Manchester now and there is a lot of competition for acts. The smoking ban has also devastated us.

"The problem we have is that there is no outside area where we could have a designated smoking zone. Our customers have to go into the street and are being moved by the police for blocking the road. It is things like this which have damaged us.

"We have tried everything over the last few years to change our business but it became clear we had to call it a day.

News of the closures this week has been met by an angry response by regulars and a wave of nostalgia among former patrons.

The music boss said one group of overzealous patrons had attempted to steal the sign above the venue.

He added: "Since yesterday we have had nearly 7,000 visit our website. I just wish we had had that number coming through the door every week. I don't know if the clubs will ever open again. It's in the hand of the liquidators,"

Both clubs played an important part in the city's musical history. Joy Division were signed up by Tony Wilson shortly after he spotted them at Rafters in April 1978.

Rock band Depeche Mode even decided to recorded an album in the basement venue, while the upstairs cabaret helped launched the careers of singers Lisa Stansfield and Sade as well as hosting Motown legends such as Edwin Starr and Jimmy Ruffin.

Retired police chief Lil King, whose varied career saw her work as a dancer and DJ at both venues, recalled the venue's glory days.

She said: "Women wearing trousers were not allowed inside Fagin's. Men with hair below their collar were not allowed. It was a very strict dress code. It was the ultimate place to party. Hundreds of people were turned away each night."

Former DJ and compere Pete Smith added: "Top comedy acts with shows on TV would be playing upstairs. Cannon and Ball and Russ Abbott were playing when they were in their heyday. On Thursday nights, all hell would broke lose when the punk night was on. It was an incredible mixture. There won't be anywhere like it again."