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Witness History: The funk and soul club that changed Manchester

Documentaries

The funk and soul club that changed Manchester

03/10/2022 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The funk and soul club that changed Manchester

Manchester’s first racially inclusive nightclub

In 1962, Phil Magbotiwan opened the Reno nightclub in Manchester, England. He wanted a venue where everyone would be welcome – Manchester’s first racially inclusive nightclub.

In 1962, Nigerian man Phil Magbotiwan opened a brand new nightclub in Manchester, England. 

In part because of his own personal experiences of racism, Phil wanted to create somewhere where everyone would be welcome – Manchester’s first racially inclusive nightclub. The Reno was born. 

The nightclub became a particularly important space for Manchester's mixed heritage community, who felt unwelcome in city centre venues. 

Phil’s youngest daughter, Lisa Ayegun shares her memories, of the Reno and her dad, with Matt Pintus.

This programme contains descriptions of racial discrimination.

(Photo: Phil Magbotiwan (right) standing in front of the Reno nightclub in Manchester. Credit: The Magbotiwan family)

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