FAT PAULY'S

Tucked away down a small street beside Anglia Square, was one of Norwich’s more curious venues. The space was originally ear marked for storage when Anglia Square was built in the early seventies. The site comprised two long subterranean looking halls, although I should point out you were never actually completely underground at any point.

 The idea to turn the space into a club was that of ex RAF Lightning pilot Nick Galpin, who wanted to create a Nightclub the likes of which had never been seen in Norwich and with £20,000 set about converting the storage area. The club was officially opened by Norwegian movie star and Bond girl Julie Ege on 27 April 1972. Sadly for Nick the economic climate was tough and the club only lasted for two and a half years.

 The club was then taken over and given a mock Tudor interior, a popular styling of the day. Renamed Cromwell’s, it opened to the sounds of Geno Washington and his Ram Jam Band in June 1976. The business faired much better and put on a more extensive live music program, although it had retained its restaurant. As Pennies in the early eighties the live music programme continued and saw bands as diverse as The Three Degrees and the Lambrettas play the venue; a rare bootleg of New Order called the Long Farewell To Your Soul was also recorded there.

 Following a spell of closure between the eighties and nineties the venue opened for the last time as Fat Pauly’s, a snooker club/venue. Once again it began to build its reputation for live music under the guidance of local music man Nick South and featured the short tenancy of the Wilde Club during refurbishment of the Norwich Arts Centre. During which time acts such as Snow Patrol and Half Man Half Biscuit came through the door. The venue retained its low ceilings throughout its life and was often a shock to many an over enthusiastic musician, witchhazel and ceiling tiles were always in good supply.

 The space has now been empty since mid 2001 and looks set to remain shut as the Anglia Square area is earmarked for re development.  

LEGS NIGHTSPOT - APRIL 1972 to ??

Owner: NICK GALPIN

CROMWELLS - 24th JUNE 1976 to ??

PENNIES - ?? to ??

CHARLIE BROWNS - ?? to ??

BROWNS - ?? to ??

FAT PAULY'S ?? to ?? 2001

Owner: PAUL FOREMAN aka Fat Pauly