It first opened its doors in 1988
It first opened its doors in 1988
Brilliant photos captured decades ago capture inside a famous Merseyside nightclub in its early days. Clubbers of the 80s and 90s will remember the famous venues that once called our city centre home.
But for years, thousands would venture further to Aintree, to head to the likes of The Paradox and Fallows – which later transformed into Kiss. Fallows on Heysham Road took off in the late 80s and from there saw thousands visit every week.
So many memories were made there, in particular during its Monday and Thursday club nights. In July 1988, it was announced that a factory was being transformed into a £1m high-tech disco and cabaret nightspot and would open later that year.
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At the time, the ECHO reported: “Fallows is reckoned to be the most modern club outside of London. Computerised lighting, big name stars and even days a week opening are some of the features of the new set-up.
“Bulldog Designs drew up the plans – and their list of credits includes Stringfellows and the Hippodrome. The club has risen from the former Becher’s Country Club in nearby Aintree which was bull-dozed to make way for a retail shopping park.
Owner John Fallows was behind the popular nightclub and previously said no expense had been spared in revamping the Rectiphase Capacitors factory on Heysham Road. He said: “There is no reason why Merseyside should not have the best and that’s exactly what they are going to get.
“I have sold my other clubs to concentrate on this project which will be hard to better in any part of the country. We are going to have the best lighting and sound systems around, the best DJs and the best in cabaret entertainment.”
In October 1988, Fallows officially opened its doors. The main room boasted five bars, a VIP bar, a cabaret stage and a spacious dancefloor.
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If you wanted to be one of the first clubbers to have a membership at Fallows, it cost £12 per year. Brilliant photos, courtesy of Bernard Rose Photography will transport you back in time to how the loved nightclub looked in its early days.
Taken in 1998, Bernard Rose was commissioned by the Sound/Lighting company for the shoot and the amazing photographs are bound to stir memories for former clubbers. At one point, many will remember there was also another Fallows, known as Fallows Two, in Speke.
Fast-forward to 1991, ITV’s Hitman and Her TV show saw hosts Michaela Strachan and Pete Waterman also film an episode at the Aintree club. In an old rediscovered clip, uploaded to YouTube, the camera move towards the crowd, capturing clubbers dancing.
“After the Wee Papa Girl Rappers performed single Best of My Love, What Do I Have To Do by Kylie Minogue is played to the crowd.
But the following year in 1992, clubbers were gutted when Fallows as they knew it closed its doors for good. Two years prior, European Leisure had acquired Fallows One in Heysham Road, Aintree and Fallows Two in Speke.
In November 1992, it was announced that Aintree was set to get a new nightclub after a half-million pound investment. For some time after, Fallows Two in Speke remained open, while Fallows One was closed and later re-opened under a new name and theme following a transformation, the ECHO previously reported.
On November 17 that year, the ECHO reported: “The entire internal layout of the building has been altered to produce two separate discotheques – Kiss, which can accommodate about 1,200 and Yel, with a 350 capacity.
“There will be soul and swing music in Yel and a more dance orientated selection in Kiss. Each disco has a top quality sound system, it’s own dance floor, DJ and state-of-art lighting.”
For Aintree clubbers, the old image of Fallows one had gone, with the former black, white and chrome décor being totally replaced. Boasting seven bars, including two cocktail bars, clubbers may also remember the sites fast food outlet – Love Bites Diner – which dispensed burgers, chips, tea and coffee.
Eventually Kiss came to an end and later, so did the Heysham Arms to make way for Thomas Valentino’s. The rest of the venue eventually became Time Out, children’s indoor soft play centre.
In more recent years, Thomas Valentino’s became a popular function room, before transforming into The New Valentino’s Function Suite. But many will still remember the early days of Fallows – as seen in Bernard Rose’s nostalgic photos.