The sudden closure of famous Hull nightclub Spiders has sparked a wave of sadness and disbelief across the region’s hospitality scene. The Cleveland Street club first opened its doors in 1979 and the family firm has been run by the same owners ever since, keeping it free of ties from national leisure chains.
With goth and alternative tunes blasting from the ground floor, and Motown, soul, blues and 60s and 70s classic pumping out upstairs, the two-floor venue has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors and regulars over almost half a century, including hundreds of readers. Sipping on cocktails such as Sweet Death and Pangalactic, some met future husbands and wives there, while others celebrated milestone life events there.
One revealed they had celebrated their wedding reception there, “on the evening of 20th December 1980. It had not been open long… A brilliant place.”
One reader said: “It’s the end of an era – I first set foot in Spiders 45 years ago – I hope whoever buys the place will honour the same spirit. A truly unique place.”
Another said: “I had some great nights back there in the mid 1980’s. Found my membership card just the other day in a pile of old photos!” One reader said: “I am 64 now and had some very, very good nights in Spiders back in the day.”
And one man commented: “Great memories. I even had my 18th there in 1981 . . the total cost of hiring the nightclub and the printing of invitations was £10. Fantastic nights out.”
A former DJ there, John Harrison, commented how he starting going in 1983, adding: “I loved it from the start, the people, music, atmosphere, staff, it was wonderful. Around 1991 I plucked up courage to ask Pete if he would give me a chance at playing the music I loved. I gave him a tape of some songs and he said: ‘When do you want to start?’
“I was really nervous, but as soon as I played the first song all my nerves disappeared. I worked there for 10 year, and it was the best job I ever had. We had the best times, the best music, the best fun. How lucky we were. Thanks Pete, you changed my life for the better.”
Another reader added: “Had no idea it was closing! It seemed to be one of the busiest venues in Hull still! Surely someone will buy it and save it?” Someone else said: “It’s so much more than just a club. It’s a place where people felt accepted and welcome.”
And another added: “I spent many of my late teenage and early 20s weekend nights in Spids! Some great memories, great tunes, and some weird and wonderful folk. Never any trouble, always a great and value for money night out. I hope it can be taken over by a new ownership that share the same mentality and outlook as Pete, Lynne and Keri (and all those that have put their hearts and souls into working there over the past half a century).”
A former regular said: “I cannot overstate how important Spiders was to me, and others close to me, in my formative years, growing up in Hull. Spiders was, and is, an institution. It remains legendary. Although gone, it will never be forgotten!”
As well as an outpouring of emotion, regulars have also called for people to consider the closure’s impact on its owners. One said: “Some of us might be heartbroken. Some even feel a form of grief… but they just closed the door on 46 years of their lives. 46. Longer than a large chunk of us has been alive. Just stop and think about it for a moment.”
Meanwhile, one clubber looks back fondly at memories of the bus that took punters to the club, adding: “Community guardianship would be the holy grail but money will be required. But before all that… Just thank you for making the best club I have ever been too.
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.
“Drinking cold bottled Miller Beer as a young lad listening to music aloud without the fear of neighbours or parents hearing the lyrics. Having the headphones off – having freedom in a safe space – to be able to sing along – you created feelings within and a home from home.
“That 105 bus journey was like magic every Saturday night. A £10 was all I needed to borrow off my pops & the world was my oyster for the night. The week had purpose because every Saturday that feeling would be there…. You know the one….Thank you for making a Lost Boy Feel At Home.”
To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more, visit the Public Notices Portal.