IT was in December 1969 that the Marsden brothers opened the doors of what was to become Huddersfield's best known nightclub, Johnny's.

Memories of the club at the bottom of town in Beast Market - spanning the 70s, 80s and 90s through to the noughties - live on for many.

John Hinchliff, of Bradford, said: "Sad to hear the old place may change.

"I first came upon it as a student in 1979, when it was 30p ( or was it 15p? ) entry with Union card and many a night spent squelching around the glass floor!

"The Bistro also provided a proper place in town to dine serious girlfriends, all under the watchful and discreet eye of the perennial maitre de, Paul `if it moves I'll cook it' Pearce. If ever there was an example that passive smoking doesn't harm you it's Paul and the Johnny's team.

"I left the Poly in 1983 and by Christmas 1986 I and five other gentleman graduates had booked into the Huddersfield Hotel for a reunion.

"We've been doing that every year since and this Christmas will be our 18th consecutive one.

"In between, I and some others have had stag nights there too.

It would take too long to let you know the appeal that's kept us going."

He said the staff always had a welcoming approach and friendliness and that had always remained.

"We will await with interest what changes take place, and we will share again the memories with a little sadness I expect this time around."

Roy Marsden, 70, from Cowcliffe, recalled: "I was brought up in number 13, Northgate which was then the Ring o' Bells pub.

"It was opposite what they used to call The Lump - a big car park which stretched from Northgate to the Lord Nelson, which was the last pub to be pulled down on that stretch.

The Ring o' Bells closed as a pub in 1937 when my uncle Joe Marsden, Johnny's father, turned it into his first eating house.

"The Lump brings back some very clear memories for me. During the war it was used for training soldiers by the Army and then in winter the council used it to dump all the snow and ice from the roads.

"Mind you, in those days I can remember the ice being three inches thick in the roads."

Paul Hinchliffe, of Huddersfield said: "Most people in Huddersfield will have attended some event at a entertainment centre owned by Joe and Johnny Marsden.

"The family have been extremely committed to supporting many organisations in the town and have given time and money to support many charities.

"At a time in the 70s when cinemas, dance centres and theatres were closing down the Marsdens provided more places to go. Lots of us entered the club under age, not for the drink but for a good night out and a place to meet.

"More recently they developed the Huddersfield Hotel, a favourite of the the cast of the "Summer Wine" stars even today."

He added: "There will be a number of staff and local businesses who will miss the jolly presence of these men in the town.

"Thank you guys for all you have provided for the town over 50 years. Perhaps the should be given the freedom of Huddersfield as they set so many of us free to enjoy ourselves."

Jean Walmsley said: "It was so good to read about the brothers and how much property they have now got.

"I remember the family from the late 60s when I was a teenager.

I never got to visit the Top Ten (another club). my father wouldn't let me stay out so late even though I didn't leave home until I was 20!

"However, I am surprised that the Examiner didn't mention the cellar which Johnny managed and got all the groups to perform in.

"It was called the Catacombs. I spent many a happy hour bopping away there before my boyfriend put me on to the last bus and then went up to the Top Ten."

Stephen Charlesworth, of Deighton, worked as a waiter in the hotel in 1990.

He remembers the stars from Summer Wine and said: "They were around so much and were really friendly.

"Peter Sallis and Thora Hird were really great and Peter always left a tip. They are days I miss."

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