Bingo club may become cinema

We have often reported on the struggle that bingo clubs and online bingo“>internet bingo rooms face to stay operating, and even when they are forced to close there is often a battle as to what becomes of the building. The fate of an old Gala Bingo club in Cambridge though may finally be resolved after a lengthy battle.

The Hobson Street site is a huge Art Deco building. It started life as a cinema before becoming a bingo club. There has been speculation that the former bingo club would be turned into a block of flats, though the latest rumours are that it may reopen as a cinema again.

Bidwells, a local estate agents, have confirmed that they have received an offer from a business on the building, which at the moment only has permission to be used as a bingo club or a cinema. If any business wanted to develop the site for residential use they would have to apply for planning permission, which would probably be opposed quite fiercely from local businesses and residents.

Emma Thornton, the manager of the city centre estate agents said; “It’s a key building in the historic city centre and we are pleased that it will be used after being empty. But it depends on what it is used for and we hope it will be appropriate as it would revitalise that area of the city.”

Gala Bingo closed the club in June 2009 despite local opposition, and it is said that approximately 400 players attended the final session. The building had been used as a UK bingo“>uk bingo club for 37 years, following its conversion from a cinema in 1972.

Following its closure Occupy Cambridge, which describes itself as a group of “squatters, anarchists, revolutionists, land rights types and general social misfits” occupied the building. One of the group members said that the actions would send a message to authorities about providing community spaces. He said; “We’ve got pubs closing down and there is nowhere for people to go to meet as a community. This is a protest against councils and the capitalist system which are abandoning communities. We are calling for radical social change.”

The group were soon evicted and metal shutters put up against the doors. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service inspected the building and declared it was unsafe for people to live in.

Despite the current economic climate Cambridge City Council has said that there has been a “number” of enquiries relating to planning permissions as well as applications from various parties. The building is classed as D2 which covers cinemas and bingo halls and is listed as a “building of local interest”

Related bingo news:

1. Bingo club closes in Wellingborough
2. Bingo Club to be demolished by Aldi
3. Former Bingo Club Fights to Avoid Demolition
4. Controversial plans for Bingo Club dropped
5. Mecca Bingo Club Converted to Supermarket