Operating from the late 60's through to 1978
this popular Newquay nightclub was located above the shops on Cliff Rd and owned by Big Tony Persin. Like many of the clubs at the time the venue was a Health & Safety nightmare, with a small entrance and a primitive fire escape looking out over what is now the station car park.
Soul was the main spin at the venue, often played at ear splitting volume! The venue was very popular with the local soulies and visiting soul fans would also gravitate towards the venue while on holiday in the area.
The venue had some interesting characters, including ‘Buttercup’, and incredible hulk like Australian who worked as a bouncer.
When the club first opened it just had a jukebox, as well as soft drinks only at the bar. There werer two resident DJ's Johny Starling and Terry Mulholland. Later a stage was erected and in 1968 the resident band was Heart and Soul, lead by Sugar Simone (Keith Foster) who would have much commercial success (most recently as Tito Simone) and was at the time between making recordings. The walls of the club were covered in Psychedelic artwork.
The club closed its doors at the end of the summer season in 1978 and has now been incorporated into shops.
Bill Robinson remembers the club
"The Coral was a great favorite of ours, my wife has just reminded me that I carried her out of the club in a firemans lift when she fainted!!! The Coral was located in Cliff Road on the same side of the road as the station and was either next to or over the Bilbo Surf shop that was there for years. It was incredibly hot and very loud, every time I hear 'baby come back' by the Equals it takes me back there. The air conditioning was facilitated by opening the fire escape door that looked out on the station car park. The entrance door was guarded by a large negress who blocked the corridor with her ample leg, you paid your money got a ticket and she dropped her leg to let you in only to replace it behind you to stop the next customer. I think only soft drinks were sold."
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