The Astoria Palais de Danse — better known to generations of Boltonians as The Palais — was created by local builder Thomas Bolton and first opened its door in 1928.
On the wave of the dancehall rage, the non-licensed venue, on the corner of Higher Bridge Street and St George’s Road, welcomed thousands of dancers for nights of music and romance.
The venue remained open during the Second World War and attracted young servicemen including Americans from the Burtonwood base.
The 1950s saw a boom in ballroom dancing, with Mecca Dancing Ltd taking over The Palais in 1956, and in October, 1958, the BBC’s popular “Come Dancing” programme was broadcast from there.
PICTURED: Former Ikon and Ritzy brought back to life as Palais de Danse for new BBC programme
It was at the heart of Bolton's social scene until discotheques took over and the Palais became iconic dance spot when Cinderellas Rockerfellas opened in 1979, before closing in 1987.
The club was eventually renamed Ikon, with the elegant original tiled facade hidden by red cladding, and basement club Jumping Jak's renamed Jaxx.
The video above - Ikon & Jaxx, Bolton: A Tribute 1998 to 2012 - was created by John Westhead, of Westedk Productions, and shows the club in its more recent heyday.
But Ikon closed for good on January 21, 2012 after trade fell by more than £1 million.
The building went up for sale for £500,000, and in August 2013 the Bolton News reported a 300-cover buffet restaurant was expected to open there in October of the same year.
But the building still stands empty — a testament to the social scene of days gone by.
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