The Birdcage opens its doors

A much-loved Ashton nightspot reopened in September 1968 with a glamorous new image and a change of name.

Following a £25,000 makeover, the former Ashton Palais ballroom just off Old Street was now The Birdcage with a rotating bandstand stage as its main feature and four licensed bars open until 2am.

Drinks would be served by the Mecca ‘Ladybirds’ in swimsuit-style outfits with peaked caps and feathered ‘tails.’

The Birdcage also boasted a ‘grillette’ balcony restaurant, ‘clover leaf’ dance floors, alcove seating and a DJ booth, along with ultra-violet lighting and special effects.

Management hailed the opening a huge success, with hundreds enjoying the luxurious surroundings and dancing the night away to live ‘mood’ music played by Sheffield group The Ricardos.

Outside the venue it was a different story with about 50 teenagers braving heavy rain to protest loudly against the Mecca organisation only allowing in 20-year-olds and over.

Trainee hairdresser Pauline Eastham, 17, of Greenways, Ashton, said the age restriction had been introduced despite assurances from the previous manager that teenagers would be welcomed back when the venue reopened.

“The last record they played for us was ‘See you in September’ - but now we have nowhere to go dancing.”

Mecca director Ronald Bloxham claimed no such promise had been made.

“There was a hardcore of about 200 teenagers but that was not sufficient to keep the ballroom open so we have experimented with what we think is a more successful line.”

He added that it was not true that teenagers had nowhere else to go as a discotheque was about to open nearby.