Proposal to close Grade-II listed bingo hall

A Grade-II listed venue in a town centre could soon close after the operators say maintenance costs have made it "challenging" to continue.

The Mecca Bingo hall in Taunton, Somerset, which opened as the Gaumont Palace Theatre in 1932 and has been a Bingo hall for 45 years, could close as early as Sunday.

Mecca Bingo, who are still consulting on the plans, said the end of its lease on the venue, which "requires considerable repairs", was imminent.

However, Somerset Council, who own the building, told the BBC the current lease is not due to expire until 2028.

"We will be continuing to collect rent and the tenant will need to comply with repairing obligations until the end of the term of the lease," the council added.

Despite the council claiming they have more than a lease left on their lease, Mecca Bingo bosses said were "consulting with colleagues and will advise our team and our customers once a final decision is reached".

Bands like The Beatles, Queen and The Rolling Stones have previously played in the venue when it was a theatre in the 60s. The building was then transformed into Odeon Cinema in the 70s.

Cherril Hurding, who often plays bingo in the Taunton venue, said: "It's quite sad actually.

"There's always lots of people in there and the staff are lovely. I think it's the sign of the times."

Jan Webber, who lives in Taunton remembers when the building used to be a cinema in the early seventies.

She said: "It would be lovely if it went back to being a cinema because then all the old people that can't drive down to Hankridge could go back to the cinema here."

C-Jay Pipe, 22, who has played bingo there several times said: "Every time I've been it has been pretty full up in there.

"I'm very surprised actually it's closing."

Andrew Knutt, chair of Project Gaumont, a co-operative group that wants to take on the lease from Somerset Council, said the potential closure of Mecca Bingo was a "shock" at first.

A petition for the group to reclaim the Mecca Bingo Building in Taunton has now been signed by more than 2,700 people.

"We want to turn it into a multi-purpose venue. During the 1930's they'd have smaller performances and amateur dramatics and it was a community hub," Knutt said.

"It would be great to have a cinema return there and a mixture of seating that can be removed and changed.

"Whether that's buying a small share in the co-op group or signing the petition, we want this building for all of Taunton," he added.

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