The Golden Garter cabaret club opened in October 1968 on a council estate in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Sir Bruce Forsyth was the first performer at the venue, which could hold up to 1,400 people.

Over its 14-year life, the club attracted major entertainment acts. Dusty Springfield, Roy Orbison, Eartha Kitt, Tommy Cooper and Ronnie Corbett all performed there. Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II, visited the venue on Rowlands Way for a Royal Charity Gala.

Memories from staff and musicians

John Orchard, 79, was a pianist for Shep's Banjo Boys from 1969 to 1972. He recalled Dusty Springfield as a standout moment: "She was my favourite singer in the 1960s and all of a sudden there she is at the Golden Garter. This is a nightclub in Wythenshawe under the flight path of the Ringway airport (now known as Manchester Airport) in the middle of the biggest council estate in Europe. So it was a bit incongruous, but it was a fantastic place and Wythenshawe loved it and it loved Wythenshawe."

Paul Stoloff played bass for the Golden Garter Showband from 1970 to 1982. "It was good fun - happy times," he said. "It was interesting because it was different music every week. So if you didn't like what they're doing, it'd be different for the next week."

Margaret Giannini worked at the club from 1967 to 1980. She remembered an incident with Dusty Springfield: "I remember one night when Dusty Springfield was on, I can even remember the blue dress that she was wearing. Anyway, something happened that she wasn't too happy about and she walked off the stage and went backstage and wouldn't come out. The lighting man at the time came backstage and said to her 'Oi - you get back on that stage and earn your money' and what did she do? She went straight back on the stage."

Dining at the Golden Garter

Customers could enjoy a three-course meal for 15 shillings (75p) while watching the shows. Dishes ranged from smoked Scottish salmon with brown bread and butter to peach melba.

Peter Andrews recalled the experience: "Oh, it was unbelievable - it was a good night out. People used to dress up in the finery and used to get chicken in the basket and stuff like that for something to eat."

Closure

The Golden Garter closed its doors on New Year's Eve 1982, with The Fortunes as the final act.

Margaret Giannini reflected on the venue's legacy: "It's a different time now - there's nothing to indicate what it was and no-one would believe it because this is Wythenshawe."