Blackpool Mecca facts for kids
Exterior of the Mecca Complex, early 1980s
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 Blackpool Mecca
Location in Blackpool
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| Address | Central Drive |
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| Location | Blackpool |
| Coordinates | 53°48′25″N 3°02′49″W / 53.807°N 3.047°W |
| Operator | Mecca Leisure Group |
| Type | Entertainment venue |
| Genre(s) | Northern soul (The Highland Room) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1965 |
| Closed | 1980s |
| Demolished | January 2009 |
The Blackpool Mecca was a big entertainment spot in Blackpool, England. It first opened its doors in 1965. In the 1970s, it became famous for The Highland Room. This room was a super important place for Northern Soul music. Northern Soul is a type of soul music that became popular in clubs in Northern England.
Later, in 1977, the Mecca also became home to the Commonwealth Sporting Club. The entire building closed in the 1980s. It was torn down in January 2009. The original plan was to build new college buildings there. However, those plans changed. Now, the site is being planned for new homes.
The Highland Room: Home of Northern Soul
From 1967 to 1979, the Highland Room was a top spot for soul music. It became one of the most popular places for the Northern Soul scene. Other clubs had "all-nighters" that lasted all night. But events at the Highland Room were different. They ran from 8 PM until 2 AM on Saturday evenings.
The two main DJs for these soul nights were Ian Levine and Colin Curtis. They helped discover many classic 1960s Northern Soul songs. These songs became famous at the venue. Some examples include "Landslide" by Tony Clarke and "There's a Ghost in My House" by R. Dean Taylor.
Later in the 1970s, the music at the Highland Room changed. It became a bit slower and more modern. Songs like "It Really Hurts Me Girl" by The Carstairs became popular. Because of this change, a new "shuffling" dance style also developed. This new sound caused some debate. It led to a new style of music called Modern Soul. This style still exists today alongside Northern Soul.
Music from the Mecca
The great Northern Soul music from the Highland Room has been remembered on many music collections. These include:
- Mecca Magic: the Soulful Sounds of Blackpool's Mecca 1973–1979 (LP, Kent Records 1990)
- The Blackpool Mecca Story (CD, Goldmine 1999)
- Spirit of the Mecca (CD, Goldmine 2000)
- Reachin’ For The Best: The Northern Soul of the Blackpool Mecca (CD, Sanctuary Records 2004)
- The Northern Soul Story Vol 3: Blackpool Mecca (CD, Sony BMG 2007)
- Highland Room – The Golden Era: 24 Highlights From Blackpool Mecca (CD, Soulworld 2009)
- Blackpool Mecca "Legends" (MP3 compilation, Soul Food 2009)
Commonwealth Sporting Club
In 1977, the Commonwealth Sporting Club opened inside the Mecca. It was a large sports area. It had 25 snooker tables, plus facilities for boxing, squash, badminton, and a gym. Famous snooker player Joe Davis helped open the club. Another snooker legend, Steve Davis, called it the "best club in the country" at the time. In 1989, the sports club closed. It was then replaced by a bowling alley.
