"Some cracking nights on the boat": Memories of Greater Manchester's lost floating nightclub

Readers have been sharing their memories of a lost Greater Manchester floating nightclub where loyal clubbers "went every weekend". Bobbing gently on the still waters of Salford’s Pomona Docks, t he North Westward Ho! started its life as a nightclub in the early 1970s.

The Manchester Evening News recently reported how clubbers would embark on the ship up a gangplank to dance the night away, play pool or enjoy a meal.

After permission was granted, the ship was brought up the ship canal and be rthed at Pomona. It had originally been the Isle of Wight Ferry Vecta, built in 1938, and latterly the excursion ship Westward Ho! before business partners George 'Jud' Evans and Colin Peers transformed it into a nightclub with plush bars, a restaurant and a venue room.

Read More:

It is also said to have been at the Dunkirk evacuation. But many still have fond memories of its life as a floating nightclub and how unique it was for a generation of clubbers.

On the MEN website, Cbmjjq said: "Some cracking nights on the boat. Always popped in the star first for a few beers and a go on the Space Invaders machine, then a late night on the boat. Great memories."

Shulks52 posted: "I used to work on the ship as assistant bars manager, stocking the bars by hand in the morning, carrying crates from the barge alongside, to each bar. I remember the theme nights, especially Halloween, and playing music at lunchtime over the 8-track cassette recorder in the main dance floor."

Freddey said: "Used to go there circa 1974 when I was 17. It was just different, we used to call it the 'lurv boat' 'cos we used to go to try and cop off with the gals, and there was a show on the telly called the Love Boat. Good old days. Now I am 65 there is no chance