It seemed fitting to pay a tribute to Caesars Nightclub Streatham Hill London here on Tribute To Most Haunted as it had featured in Most Haunted Series 2 in search of the ghost of Ruth Ellis and of course, was owned by demonologist Fred Batt.
Reports of dark shapes move across the room, a ghost of a woman, hearing footsteps and doors opening on their own. Caesars started life as the first purpose-built Ballroom in England opening in 1928 as The Locarno Ballroom.
Many stars appeared here in those days including Glenn Miller – Laurel & Hardy – Charlie Chaplin and a host of others. In the sixties bands such as The Rolling Stones – The Small Faces – Rod Stewart Ect.
Miss World and Come Dancing (now Strictly) started there
The Last Owner Fred Batt held the First Pro Female Boxing at Caesars and introduced Cage Fighting to Caesars
When the doors closed in 2010 an article in the Local Guardian advertised the auction of the chariot and horse that once adorned the entrance.
For sale: one Roman chariot, four horses, featured in a Spice Girls video – price on application. Preferred buyer local to the area.
Love it or hate it, the giant statue rising over Streatham High Road from Caesars London is one of the defining images for those passing through Streatham.
And a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has arisen to purchase it, as club owner Fred Batt strips the club of its contents, ahead of it being passed over to developers in three weeks.
Mr Batt said: “If no one buys the statue it will have to go in my back garden, but I’m hoping someone locally will buy it, to keep it in Streatham as part of the club’s history.”
To give a little inspiration to potential buyers, the Streatham Guardian has taken the time to imagine what it could be like displayed on another local landmark –Streatham Ice Arena.
But for those who are not interested in the chariot and horses, Mr Batt is also selling the rest of the club’s contents, with everything from a stuffed Siberian tiger to tables and chairs going under the hammer.
Mr Batt said: “It’s sad to finally be going, it’s the end of an era.”
Developers have bought the club and have permission to knock it down to build a 243-flat residential and shopping development.
The Caesars Streatham club was built in the 1920s as the UK’s first purpose-built ballroom.
It was one of the premiere south London nightspots of the time, with Glenn Miller, Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin among the top names to grace its stage.
It later became the Cat’s Whiskers Streatham club, with a revolving stage.
Mr Batt took it over in 1994, it then became home to events by Lap Attack – London’s first lap dancing club for women – and a boxing venue, where Brad Pitt was filmed in Guy Ritchie’s movie Snatch.
Mr Batt blamed the loosening of licensing laws on the failure of the club, as drinkers could stay in bars rather than move on to clubs.
A collection of photos of the interior of the night club just prior to it’s demolition can be seen at
http://www.ukurbex.com/index.php?/topic/1353-caesers-nightclub-streatham-hill-london/
A self confessed super fan of Most Haunted and editor of GhostMag.com. Matt’s passion for ghost hunting began when he moved into a haunted house in his second year of university in Leicester! His favourite location is the Niddry Street Vaults in Edinburgh.
Hello, for your information I shall be offering an antique original photograph of the front of the Locarno Streatham Dance Hall of a Man on Stilts with a pedal cycle .. you can view on ebay . my site is riggsy972 … contact me if interested on 07888836848 . chris
I can see her too! She looks a bit frightened. I used to love this club and it’s predecessor the Studio. Good times 🙂
On the 2nd picture down of the Corridor,does anyone see a black figure that I see,it looks like a woman,I really want to no what it is.Do you think it could be a ghost,?