FASCINATING images reveal how a once-popular nightclub now stands empty and eerie.
Former night hotspot Raquel’s drew thousands of revellers in the Eighties and Nineties to Market Pavement, Basildon.
Pictures now show the crumbling toilets, deserted cloakrooms with piles of disco balls and dusty bars, complete with ash trays and old cigarette packets, in a throwback to the pre-smoking ban days.
Dirty glitterballs stuffed into boxes now seem worlds away from the good times enjoyed by so many before the doors closed for the last time. Colourfully decorated stairways lead down to forgotten dance floors, while wall signs still advertise the latest booked parties.
A Saturday night at Raquel’s was always one to remember, with plenty of questionable moves.
The popular club, in Market Pavement, opened in 1983 and drew crowds of revellers until it closed in 1995. It reopened as Uropa a year after, which also closed after just a short stay. The building has remained vacant ever since.
It hosted plenty of stars such as home-grown talent Depeche Mode, who performed to adoring fans.
There was also religious gatherings, with a disco and mass for Pope John Paul II at Raquel’s in May 1982.
Earlier this month, Basildon Council announced it purchased the Market Pavement block and part of South Walk including the former Rileys snooker club for £5million.
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