A bid to get those with fond memories of the once legendary Retford music venue to come together and buy it has already attracted hundreds of supporters.
Retford man Dean Bell, otherwise known as Xpyda, has launched a move to buy and run the former nightclub in Carolgate as a co-operative, DIY initiative.
His Facebook group has attracted hundreds of supporters who hope to collect enough to bid at an auction next month. The guide price is £60,000 to £90,000.
Mr Bell said: "I had an idea to create 'The Punk Rock Hall of Fame' as a co-operative organisation and started a Facebook group when I first saw that the building was up for sale.
"The idea is very simple. The building has a history, but at the moment is doing nothing. If enough people cared, with a small contribution each, we could buy it.
"Punk rock invaded the heart of the country at the Porterhouse
"People from London and Edinburgh used to get on a train to come down for the night – people came from Hull, Lincoln, Manchester, Doncaster, Sheffield too.
"What better place to build the punk rock hall of fame on a sustainable, co-operative, fair trade, DIY principle than here in Retford?"
The fact the Porterhouse is up for sale has sparked fond memories of nights out for some readers.
Ex-Porterhouse DJ Andy Cooke saw some of the club's more memorable nights from the best seat in the house.
He said: "I was the DJ there from about 1978 to 1984 and there were some brilliant nights.
"We had blues band the Honey Drippers, fronted by Robert Plant, who were amazing and Duran Duran stopped off at the Porterhouse about the time they released Planet Earth."
The Porterhouse will go under the hammer on Tuesday, March 8. For more details, call Klair Hill on 01427 616118.
Find the campaign to buy the Porterhouse on Facebook or at www.xpyda.co.uk/porterhouse/index.html
If I could afford it I’d be in – this museum would be a brilliant alternative to the rubbish and doomed from the start Sheffield ‘kettles’, it’ll probably be better than the also saved this week 100 Club in London!. (For those wondering how this got on a history/archaeology website you need to remember that ‘proper punk’ was in the mid 1970’s – over 30 years ago - it was an important change to the music industry in this country where local kids could start a band and get their songs released on local/independent labels rather than ‘selling out’ to the big corporations) Oh yes and my favourite band of all time is Slaughter & the Dogs :)
I agree great Idea,I was one of the DJs at the porterhouse from about 78 for about 20 years,my DJ name at the time was Rob Green...Andy Cooke who F**k are you ?Yes the honeydrippers played there,but Duran Duran never did ?,Soft Cell,Madness,UB40 and Ultravox's first ever gig with Midge Ure was there,Def Leppard supported the UK Sub's to name but a few,and nearly every band who went on to be big or had cult following played there,thanks to the forward thinking of the owner at the time Sammy Jackson,the venue also hosted rave events in the 90's..I hope your bid succeeds,the porterhouse a legendery venue..and Andy Cooke,who ever you are ?just go and fanitise somewhere else mucker,cos you are just not helping the cause..!!!
ReplyDeleteHa - still opinionated! Remember me Amanda Swallow from the Half Moon?!
DeleteJust found this Rob (was that your DJ name?) I too was wondering who the f*ck Andy Cooke was! I used to shave the record shop 'Bop Records' (yes, a stupid name in retrospect considering it sold Punk/Postpunk!). You may recall I was occasional DJ, when you were busy. I went to the late Sammy Jackson's funeral in Lincoln, which was quite a surreal affair, but good to catch up with some of the old gang. I do miss them days. Anyway, hope your well Rob (whatever your real name is!), David Carter
DeleteRob get in touch...... Russ
ReplyDeleteIs it still empty? Just done a google search and no up to date stuff..
ReplyDeleteHi Rob... if this page is still running? Wonder if you have any of the videos that were regularly recorded. My nephews band (Angels Death Song then, later, Glass Arcade played there quite a few times and I know there were some videos. Any helpwould be great.
ReplyDeleteI remember Rob Green as the Porterhouse DJ in the 80s, I remember seeing the group it bites there and also a fab group the big supreme, such fun nights I had there with my friends.. great memories. Diane
ReplyDeleteHeh, that's me. If people would have out their money where there mouth is it would be ours by now. Instead it stood empty til it was turned into a ganja factory. 😂 If admin are listening could you edit out my real name please. There are some Nazis who I don't want finding me. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteOh, bum. *Put * their soz.
ReplyDeleteRemember Rob as DJ , I think he also did F&N on Worksop .. no idea who the Andy fella is , It was always Rob bringing great toons … sad it went , my best era 1978 to 199 ??! … brings back great memories of Retford , vine , sun , mad jacks and doghouse … with an Elms night Sunday 😂🫡
ReplyDelete