Northallerton's new town square at the Treadmills development will host its first public entertainment event later this month.

A "Celebration of Soul" will take place in the new square at the centre of the old prison site on Saturday, September 23.

Organised by Betterdaze Record Shop, the event will mark the 50th anniversary of the opening night of Wigan Casino's famous Northern Soul all nighters, introducing a new sound from America from mainly unknown soul artists.

Its popularity has remained throughout the last half century with soul nights taking place every weekend across the UK.

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Gary Lewis, of Betterdaze, said: "To celebrate this anniversary we plan a day of events centred around soul music, starting in the afternoon of Saturday 23rd on Zetland Street then continuing in the early evening on the Treadmills Square open space area between the Everyman Cinema and the Governor's House restaurant."

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Mr Lewis, owner of Betterdaze, will be DJing at both locations with music from his own private collection plus rarities from the shop's massive soul section. There will be visits from Northern Soul dancers showing off their inimitable energetic dancing style and fashion plus other cultural reminders of 1973.

As well as popular tracks from the Northern Soul catalogue the day will feature other popular soul tracks from the catalogues of Tamla Motown, Philadelphia, Atlantic and Stax, from the golden era of 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Requests from customers, visitors and soul fans will be invited to be played on the day. The events will be free to attend, and run from 11am on Zetland Street, relocating to the Treadmills at 4.30pm.