The Fiesta Clubs

In 1965, brothers Keith and Jim Lipthorpe formed “Norton Entertainments” and opened the Stockton Fiesta Club at 395 Norton Road, Stockton-on-Tees.

It was without doubt the plushest, most luxurious club anywhere outside a major capital, and very soon, customers and artistes alike regarded the Stockton Fiesta as “THE” place.

After a short while, building on the success of the Stockton club, Keith Lipthorpe decided to build another club and started his search for a suitable venue. Many cities and towns were visited, but eventually Sheffield was decided upon.

Norton Entertainments built their jewel in the crown in a new development site on Arundel Gate near Sheffield's city centre - easy to find, and with a multi-story car-park right next door.

The Sheffield Fiesta first opened its golden doors in August 1970.

In the late 70s, partly as a result of the economic downturn in the local steel industry, the Fiesta found the going tough, and in 1976 after a fight with trade-unions, closed. Its loyal staff were thrust into the dole-queue.

Seizing upon the chance to run this highly regarded venue, a Scarborough-based company stepped in and after a substantial re-fit, the Sheffield Fiesta once more opened its doors and entertained the people of Sheffield - this time with fully produced floor-shows and a large dance-band (the Andy Wardaugh Band).

Sadly, their style of entertainment didn't seem to fit well, and it wasn't long before financial pressures caused the management to relinquish the club into the hands of the Rank organisation (who operated two other venues close-by).

Even more sadly, after only a few months, Rank also admitted defeat, and agreed to lease the Fiesta to one Peter K. Miller, trading as "ssologllin" (spell it backwards).

Mr Peter K. Miller then disappeared (to Florida, I heard) with a substantial amount of money "not accounted for" (allegedly!).

The Fiesta had closed for the last time. A chapter of Sheffield's history closed with it.

The building which formerly housed Club Fiesta is now the Odeon multi-screen cinema.

There are two books available which give fascinating accounts of the the story behind the Fiesta clubs.

Both books are well worth a read if you have even the slightest interest in the Fiesta(s) and the Cabaret scene in the 60s and 70s.