(09 Jan 2016, 11:47 am)Andreos1 wrote Wasn't there a huge place at the bowling Alley on Newcastle Road at some point? I seem to remember coaches being laid on from Sunderland City Centre.

Yes. It was originally the Mecca complex, with the nightclub including the 'Mayfair Suite'. The likes of Rod Stewart, Pink Floyd and The Who, had all featured over the years.

In the later years, it was known as 'The Palace', and was part of the Absolute Leisure chain. The company was ran by the same guy who was responsible for the Tuxedo Princess in Newcastle, and the Lounge in Newcastle. Towards 2003, the club was barely being used, and it ended up turning into solely a rave venue until around 2005/06. Though I believe the promoters were also running under 18s nights in there.

After that, it pretty much sat dormant, until it was handed over to Tesco.

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-4485360
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...up-1454204
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/the-palace-...012.t69765