MENTION the name 'The Carlton' to many people in Rochdale and the response will be an instant smile and a string of stories wrapped in the warm glow of nostalgia.

Generations of Rochdalians have happy memories of nights cutting a dash across its polished dancefloor to the melodic sounds of the best bands around.

Many a romance, too, blossomed under its domed lighting or grew discreetly beneath its balcony.

For decades it was the place to be if you wanted a good night out in plush surroundings.

Not bad, really, for an old warehouse.

The building on Great George Street was originally part of Mason's foundry and was later used by Kelsall and Kemp for wool scouring.

It was taken over by Embassy Amusements Ltd, whose directors were Mr J Travis of Featherstall Road, Littleborough and Mr E H Blincoe of Waithlands House, Milnrow Road.

For some time dancers in Rochdale had felt there was a need for a hall devoted entirely to dancing and the duo moved in to meet it.

Months of work - most of it by local firms - and a great deal of money went into a remarkable transformation and out of it emerged The Carlton.

Opening its doors for the first time in September 1934, it was an impressive sight.

The imposing modernist-style entrance gave way to a roomy hall and a wide stairway which led up to a well-appointed lounge.

Leaving the lounge you stepped into a beautiful ballroom - at the time one of the biggest in Lancashire.

In addition to the domes which allowed for impressive lighting effects, there was a large area of glasswork which would make daylight dancing possible.

At the far end of the ballroom was the stage, effectively decorated in gold leaf.

The balcony on three sides could accommodate up to 300 people.

A special feature of the cloakroom facilities, rarely found in any ballroom, were small cubicles in the ladies' section which allowed people to go to the Carlton straight from work and change into their dancing gear.

There was a bar and café on both floors and on the first floor were two rooms for dance instruction.

Everything was fitted out luxuriously.

But the crowning glory was the dancefloor itself, considered one of the best in the north of England.

It was maple with Jarrah marginal lines and was laid in 'follow the grain' design which gave an artistic effect.

An entirely new system of rubber buffer springs gave a 'cushion' feel and prevented the tiredness caused by too much dancing on metal springs.

Lester Walker, the first manager, had vast experience and had been a prominent figure in Lancashire dancing circles for many year while the musical director was the much-loved Freddie Platt.

The Carlton Academy of Dancing was run by experienced teachers Miss Ida Johnson, Miss Barbara Ashley and Mr Tom Williams.

After a glittering opening the Carlton swiftly became one of the top venues in the area for a good night out.

Monday night was for advanced dancers and formation teams, Tuesdays saw Rochdale traders and shopkeepers take advantage of their half days while Thursdays was old-time night.

Wednesdays and Saturdays were the most popular with the younger generation who flocked in to dance the night away.

The house band was extremely popular and earned celebrity status in the town.

But there were also regular guest appearances from some of the top bands in the country.

The likes of Oscar Rabin, Harry Gold Roy Fox and Joe Loss would travel up to Manchester for concerts then go on to the Carlton for a guest spot.

Often they would not start until about 11pm - but would play on until about 2am!

Almost as famous as the bands was Mae Street, who was manageress of the café.

She worked at the ballroom from its opening until her retirement and was very popular with the customers.

Under her charge the café provided good food - despite the restrictions of rationing - good service and a warm, friendly atmosphere.

One of the Carlton's attractions was that it was one of the most modern ballrooms in the North West.

As time went on, however, it was inevitable that newer rivals would overtake it.

In November 1956 Mecca Ltd took over ownership from Embassy Amusements and thurst it back out in front again.

Refurbishments which took 12 months once again made it one of the most up to date around.

The old fixed bandstand was replaced with a revolving stage complete with multi-coloured lighting and a background producing a quilted silk effect.

On the first floor was the 'Golden Knight' bar decorated in Tudor style with imitation oak beams and various coats of arms and the 'El Mambo' bar with its palm trees and bamboo furnishings.

Unfortunately one 'victim' of the changes was the café next to the ballroom which was closed.

It was a small price to pay, however, for the magnificent new surroundings which put the Carlton on a par with the Lyceum in London, another member of the Mecca stable.

Styles changed down the years, from the big band sound to rock and roll, but its popularity continued.

Although the management at first frowned on the music of Elvis, Tommy Steele and Chubby Checker it wisely took it on board eventually.

The Carlton even had its own rock 'n' roll team which own the North West jiving title.

As the sixties progressed, however, there was an invader in the dancers' world - bingo.

For a number of years the two existed side by side.

But it was a battle the dancers were destined to lose and as the 1970s dawned the last waltz had been danced at what was now the Carlton bingo hall.

Disaster struck in May 1989 when a fire swept through the building, causing devastation in the old ballroom.

It was closed down and for a number of years lay empty.

But its dancing days were revived in 1995 thanks to businessmen Mike Foy and Ged Clark.

Forming the New Carlton Ballroom Company, they refurbished the old building and a reopening night saw in the region of 1,300 crowd through the doors to remember the past and enjoy a touch of the present.

For several years the Carlton enjoyed something of a revival.

In addition to local dance enthusiasts coachloads travelled from Blackpool, Wigan and Yorkshire to strut their stuff in comfortable surroundings.

Times were changing again, though and - looking towards the younger market - the management decided on a major revamp.

In September 1999 the Carlton closed its doors and eight weeks later Liquid Rock emerged.

New central bars, lighting and sound equipment, two dancefloors with a DJ stand, DVD video screens and air conditioning made for a dazzling new nightclub.

But the most striking change was on the outside, where the building was painted a bright yellow colour.

An illuminated sign also gave it that American-style rock venue theme.

Later alterations saw the removal of one of the old Carlton's main features, the canopy on the front.

Liquid Rock continues to prosper today and while it is far removed from its dancing origins the old place is still packing them in.

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