Paul Nicholson
Liverpool
I was introduced to the Blackie when I was
8. We lived in Prince Albert Gardens and it
was invaded by staff and volunteers from
the Blackie dressed in futuristic costumes
and as aliens from a "Space Theme" project.
It intrigued us since we knew little about
the building at the time. I started
attending regularly and it gave me the
opportunity to develop my future career.
Over the years I built a positive
relationship with The Blackie. I was part
of the ‘Building Development Team’ with
the objective to renovate the building,
under the theme of ‘Old Liverpool’in the
‘New Blackie’. We collected bricks from
derelict properties to create the new
interior. Anyone who goes to the Blackie
today can still see those original bricks.
I was involved in the Blackie ‘7 Up’
magazine and we made an album of the
noises on the building site. We also did a
'Rainbow Theme’ at the Walker Art Gallery.
Liverpool companies donated materials. I
had responsibility for project budgeting,
which proved invaluable in my working
life. I can honestly say that attending
the Blackie was more educational than school.
I now had a blueprint for the future. I was a DJ at the famous Liverpool Havana Club in Duke Street my skills had been homed at the Blackie. I was at the Havana for around a year. It was to prove to be the platform for tI now had a blueprint for the future. My
organisational and communication skills
had been honed at The Blackie. I became
DJ at the famous Liverpool Havana Club
in Duke Street for a year. It was the
platform for the start of a managerial
career tht was to have a profound effect
on the Liverpool club and gay community
scene, in regard to venues in the city.
In 1982 I became Manager of ‘Jody’s’ night
club, one of the first in Liverpool to
play Garage/House music. It was on two
floors, one gay and one punk, both got on
well. I was instrumental in building up
two of Liverpool’s most famous clubs,
The G-Bar and Garlands. I will always be
proud of my role in providing facilities
for Liverpool’s diverse communities.
An achievement I will always remember
was receiving the ‘Best Bar None’ Award
in 2005 and 2006, the ‘Club Oscar' of
the Liverpool club scene. The Judges
were Merseyside Police, Liverpool City
Council and the Chamber of Commerce.
My Blackie experiences had provided a
solid foundation so I appreciated the
necessity of good budget planning.