After Dark explores the nightlife of Nelson, Lancashire, through stories, photographs, and voice recordings gathered as part of a commission with This-is-Nelson and In-Situ.
Short Homers WMC
Homers WMC is tucked away between rows of terraced houses on Midland Street in Nelson, Lancashire. From the outside, it appears deceptively small, giving little hint of what lies within. The club is a men-only members' club, and I was kindly invited inside by the steward, Ben Eastwood, who gave me a guided tour and shared some of its history. Short Homers refers to short-journey homing pigeons.
Nelson Library archives
The archives at Nelson Library unearthed some fascinating stories. Among the collection is information on many of the town's well-known pubs, along with some long-forgotten drinking establishments. One of the most intriguing was the Rous Club, where members reportedly gained entry through the back door with the instructions: "Knock twice and ask for Fred."
The archives also reveal that Nelson was caught up in the infamous arsenic-in-beer scandal of 1901. What became a national public health crisis affected the town too, reminding us that even a simple pint could come with unexpected dangers.
Interviews for After Dark
Interviews for the After Dark Project
One of the most rewarding parts of the After Dark project has been interviewing local people, each with their own unique memories and remarkable stories to tell.
I've had the privilege of listening to first-hand accounts from people who experienced the Imperial Ballroom in its heyday, memories of the underground acid house rave scene, and stories that reflect the rich diversity of Nelson's many communities.
These interviews are helping to build a fascinating picture of Nelson after dark through the decades. I look forward to sharing these voices and stories as part of the After Dark exhibition at Nelson Library this October.
Photographs: Kevin Fort at the Warpdressers.
Interviews for After Dark
The collection of interviews will be available to listen to at Nelson Library in October. It is fascinating listening to personal accounts about experiences of the nightlife of Nelson. It seems like another world when people talk about the Rolling Stones performing at the Imperial Ballroom.
Nelson town centre; Photograph Diane Muldowney.
Documentary photographer/multidisciplinary artist based in Brierfield, Lancashire. My work explores memory, heritage, and the changing character of northern communities. Through photography, I document people and places that hold stories of working-class life, often focusing on what remains and what has been lost over time.
What excites me about this project is the chance to reconnect with the places that shaped my own youth while discovering the stories of others who shared that same vibrant nightlife. I’m inspired by the idea of breathing new life into forgotten spaces, capturing their atmosphere, their history, and the memories that still linger. I love the mix of photography, research, and conversation, and I’m excited to create a body of work that feels both personal and collective. Most of all, I’m energised by the opportunity to document a part of Nelson that meant so much to so many, and to celebrate it before it slips away completely.
Once the mills fell silent and daylight faded, another side of Nelson came alive. Pubs spilled onto the streets, clubs pulsed with music, working men’s clubs were packed, and taxi ranks filled with people heading home in the early hours. For many, these places were more than venues; they were where friendships were made, romances began, and unforgettable nights unfolded.
This project documents those memories while exploring how nightlife in Nelson has changed over the decades, particularly the sharp decline that began in the early 1990s. Through personal stories, archived memories, photographs, and recorded voices, After Dark asks what happened to the town’s once-thriving night-time culture and what has been lost along the way.
From neon-lit dance floors to quiet streets where venues once stood, this is a portrait of a town after dark, told by the people who lived it.
Nelson, the only Town named after a pub. Lord Nelson. Photo credit Diane Muldowney
The Lord Nelson finally closed its doors after 220 years. The photographs below are from the Closing party in October 2024. It reopened on Boxing Day 2024 and survived for a while, but is now permanently closed.
The Lord Nelson, undergoing renovation. I love the old records stuck to the window and the wardrobe/cloackroom in the corner; it reminds me of Narnia. The years of neglect have taken their toll on this historically important building.
Fascinating old photographs from the Nelson Library collection: one shows the interior of the Masonic Room, with the ornate ceiling. Interesting to compare with my recent photograph.
I was delighted to gain entry to the old Blueberries Night Club; it was destroyed by a fire in October 1999. It was due to reopen as the Phoenix Night Club in December 1999. The Phoenix logo is clearly visible on the wall.
Documenting the space was a dream; it brought back so many memories of nights spent in the club in the 1980's. Ghosts of the past appeared: people, music, larger & black, and awful hangovers courtesy of Pernod.
I visited the space numerous times, armed with a camera and tripod. My torchlight created ghostly shadows; Slow-exposure photography captured my movement on the dance floor.
The Station Hotel on Hibson Road was built in 1893 and is the last remaining town centre pub, Grade II listed by Historic England.
A wonderful stone-built town centre pub with a traditional dark wood-panelled interior.
The last episode of Juliet Bravo was shot at the Station Hotel in 1985; it ended with a fire in the Trax nightclub beneath the hotel. The space was taken over by Wetherspoons in 2000. Now a storage space. Click on the photograph for more images
On May 28th, we are showing the last episode of Juliet Bravo. Some of the scenes were shot at the Station Hotel & Trax nightclub.
There are a few pubs and Clubs that still exist in Nelson. I plan on going to visit them all.
Through the years, there have been many. I have a list of over 40,
