OT: Wonderland arcade burnley

[Steddyman]

Does anybody have any old photos of the Wonderland arcade that was in Burnley in the 1980's and 1990's?

It was across the from Angels nightclub under the market. I think it is where there is a home bargains now.

Thanks

[MACCA]

It certainly was where home bargains us now, moved on to Standish street but don't know how long for.

[Dark Cloud]

I got addicted to the "Asteroids" machine in there back in the early 80's and spent a bloody fortune!

[gandhisflipflop]

I've never actually seen anyone going in and out of those arcades in town.

[tim_noone]

I've never actually seen anyone going in and out of those arcades in town.

Have you tried specsavers?

[gandhisflipflop]

Have you tried specsavers?

Obviously I know people must do otherwise it wouldn't be still there.

[Steddyman]

It certainly was where home bargains us now, moved on to Standish street but don't know how long for.

I don't remember it moving to Standish St. I must have lost interest by then.

Just remember some amazing machines in there back in the 80's like Defender and Robotron. Would love to see photos.

[TVC15]

Great place - spent many an afternoon in Wonderland.

Place was always busy - Defender, Asteroids, and my personal favourite Centurion where 10p would last me a couple of hours !

Can't remember it moving to Standish Street....I might have outgrown it by then !

Thinking it was probably around 35 years ago when I was going in - maybe even longer.

[cricketfield73]

'Cosmic Cresta' was my Wonderland favourite. Like TVC15, a good hour's entertainment for 10p thanks to my masterful spaceship docking skills.
I was in there one Saturday morning in about 1980 and was interviewed by Radio Blackburn about the increase in price of Clarets' season tickets.
At home that afternoon as they introduced the piece I excitedly hit 'play and record' ready to document my magisterial radio debut, only to immediately wilt into a state of mortification as this ludicrous voice, every sentence preceded by and littered with 'erms' and in the thickest Lancashire accent ever heard came over the airwaves.
After I'd managed to raise my head out of my hands, I immediately recorded over it and prayed that no-one I knew was listening.
It would be great if someone did find some photos, but not any 37 year old Radio Blackburn recordings....

[Tw@]

I know the people who owned it until it closed, they may have some photos!

[yorkyclaret]

'Cosmic Cresta' was my Wonderland favourite. Like TVC15, a good hour's entertainment for 10p thanks to my masterful spaceship docking skills.
I was in there one Saturday morning in about 1980 and was interviewed by Radio Blackburn about the increase in price of Clarets' season tickets.
At home that afternoon as they introduced the piece I excitedly hit 'play and record' ready to document my magisterial radio debut, only to immediately wilt into a state of mortification as this ludicrous voice, every sentence preceded by and littered with 'erms' and in the thickest Lancashire accent ever heard came over the airwaves.
After I'd managed to raise my head out of my hands, I immediately recorded over it and prayed that no-one I knew was listening.
It would be great if someone did find some photos, but not any 37 year old Radio Blackburn recordings....

Ah yes, I remember hearing that and thinking 'what a pillock'

[Steddyman]

It was also around 35 years ago for me since I was a regular.

Wasn't Cosmic Cresta called Moon Cresta? That was and still is one of my favourite games, that and Pleides (pictured below). I went to PlayExpo in Blackpool a few months ago and they had it available to play there.

There is another Play Expo in Manchester in October. They always have hundreds of the old arcade machines to play on.

118124215165.png (3.81 KiB) Viewed 5289 times

[tim_noone]

Talking of wonderland... One building that as stood the test of time and is still popular and value for money... It's been operating 50 plus years to my knowledge.The ten pin bowling alley!while pubs,cinemas,bingo halls, and nightclubs have gone to the wall it remains a popular attraction.50plus years is a great achievement IMO .well done them.

[cricketfield73]

Ah yes, I remember hearing that and thinking 'what a pillock'

Thanks yorkyclaret, given my performance, you were being very kind

[Leyland Claret]

In there every Saturday morning for a game of Bank Panic. 10p would usually last around 30-45 minutes. Good times

[Steddyman]

Talking of wonderland... One building that as stood the test of time and is still popular and value for money... It's been operating 50 plus years to my knowledge.The ten pin bowling alley!while pubs,cinemas,bingo halls, and nightclubs have gone to the wall it remains a popular attraction.50plus years is a great achievement IMO .well done them.

It actually was shutdown for quite a long time before re-opening many years later.

http://www.visitnorthwest.com/sights/1st-bowl-burnley/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tim_noone]

It actually was shutdown for quite a long time before re-opening many years later.

http://www.visitnorthwest.com/sights/1st-bowl-burnley/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes I heard that recently.. was out of town for a while,though it's been based there a long time and survived the crisis and not succumbed to becoming and indian eating place or a taxi office.an asset to the town.

[Hendrickxz]

The bowling alley had all the original equipment stripped out then it became a Status DIY/Paint store for a number of years. Bought the paint for my first house there. Pretty crap stuff as I remember -- but it was cheap!

[ClaretTony]

I was told when it returned to being a bowling alley the new owners had no idea it had originally been built for that purpose. It was called Four Lanes when it originally opened in the 1960s at a time when ten pin bowling was becoming a national craze.

For years though it was an MFI store between Four Lanes and it being returned to a bowling alley.

[Dark Cloud]

I was told when it returned to being a bowling alley the new owners had no idea it had originally been built for that purpose. It was called Four Lanes when it originally opened in the 1960s at a time when ten pin bowling was becoming a national craze.

For years though it was an MFI store between Four Lanes and it being returned to a bowling alley.

Yes, I bought an MFI kitchen in there in the early 80's.

[ClaretPope]

I was told when it returned to being a bowling alley the new owners had no idea it had originally been built for that purpose. It was called Four Lanes when it originally opened in the 1960s at a time when ten pin bowling was becoming a national craze.

For years though it was an MFI store between Four Lanes and it being returned to a bowling alley.

Was it not Fair Lanes?

[Leightonslaces]

Back in the 80's I'd get paid on a Friday night and take my bird to wonderland. Brilliant times!

[Burnley Ace]

It was so dark in there! Happy days!

[AGENT_CLARET]

It always smelt like a pet shop

[Leightonslaces]

It always smelt like a pet shop

Part off the ambiance

[ClaretTony]

Was it not Fair Lanes?

I thought it looked wrong when I posted that. Fair Lanes it was.

[longsidetrumpet]

Fairlanes (one word) opened in Burnley in November 1963, according to a tenpin enthusiasts website I just found. They were an American company.

[tim_noone]

I was but a child..how time as flown!

[THEWELLERNUT70]

50s Stepper and Nudge Up Deluxe were two of the bandits I remember. I also completed Double Dragon in there.
Walter SnakeFace was an everplresent.

The game was indeed called Moon Cresta ( however it wasn't the one in the screen grab)

[tim_noone]

I wonder whether Walter new he was called "snake face" rip.