Towngate public hall meant a lot to many

The venue held dance nights in the 1960s and was later turned into a snooker hall.

Readers and social media users shared their memories of the building before it was knocked down to make way for Tesco’s car park.

Ian Sharrock posted: “I’d forgotten what an attractive and interesting building it was, but it seemed so grand when I was a child, walking up the steps and through the big door.”

Carol Rutter wrote: “I am sure I went there in the 60s, dance night.”

Maggie Beswick said: “So many memories of this lovely building. My dad opened it as a snooker hall and did a great job in creating a room there for teenagers to hang out. It was a disgrace that the lease was not extended and that the site sat derelict for years.”

Margaret Wall said: “The old snooker club is what I remember it as. Brought about and run by the late John Cully.

“It was a much needed recreational venue for Leyland. When it closed it was very sadly missed by lots of people.

“RIP John Cully and Tony Cully. You were both taken way too soon and are so very fondly remembered.”

Richard Crook posted: “Happy memories. I used to show the films there for the Leyland Playscheme back in the 1970s – great fun.”

Clive Dee reminisced: “Great 60s venue, Saturday nights had three live groups. One or two I remember, our group Loui and the Buccaneers, Thunderbeats, Ray Lewis and the Trekkers, The Delagates, The Renegades, I could go on. Only soft drinks if I remember.”

And Allwyn Ryan posted: “I remember the jumble sales and fairs held for the Swimming Baths Appeal Fund.

“Also a Christmas fair where my dad was Father Christmas and my sister didn’t recognise him (she was only young). Pity it was demolished.”