Bernie's Bingo Room saved from a wrecking ball and turned into a gym

Most of my career has been spent in teaching, including in some of the UK's leading private schools. I left London in 2000 to set up home in Wales and raise my four beautiful children. I enrolled at university, studied photography and film, and completed my degree, then my master's. In 2014, I helped launch a new local newspaper, successfully publishing a front page, back page and six pages of filler every week. I saw journalism changing and pioneered super-war news in Wales. In 2017, I launched one of the first independent, 24/7 free websites in Wales. Having successfully built this as a business model, I was eager for a new challenge. Joining the company is exciting for me, especially in a new role in Europe. I want to establish myself and help others do the same.

Last updated 10 Jun 2024 03:09

Recent statistics show that bingo halls are falling apart in the UK.

A great Victorian building

Traditionally, callers were smartly dressed, sometimes even wearing tuxedos. Callers had to speak clearly and endure an incredibly smoke-filled room.

Thankfully, bingo rooms are now smoke-free.

Barney's Gym is a win-win for everyone.

Barney's Bingo Hall in Fleetwood, Lancashire is a great example of how an old Victorian former cinema and bingo hall has been preserved and repurposed as a gym and community hub.

Could we see more of these repurposed bingo halls across the UK?

The trend of closures is likely to continue, and online gaming is growing in popularity. No need to leave your home or pay for bus fares or parking.

Barney's was left in ruins, a sad sight for locals and tourists alike. Luckily, a private company (Wyre Marine) bought it and set about restoring and repurposing it.

A great hall in decline

Sadly, Halifax's other bingo hall hasn't experienced the same glorious renaissance. This grand, large building and former cinema, designed by architect George Coles, served the community well as Top Class and Mecca Bingo bingo halls before suffering a fire, reopening and closing several times.

Halifax, Broad Street's former Odeon Halifax, Mecca Bingo Hall (IMAGE: WEST YORKSHIRE IMAGES / ALAMY).

Images published on the national newspaper showed a quiet building filled with decorated tables and prepared bingo games. High steets throughout the UK are desperate to survive, and consumers can narrow down their transactions online without cost, parking, bags, and time.

Bingo Hall was traditionally installed somewhere near it, even in the heyday, even if it was not on a high street. Bingo Hall offers great reset opportunities from its magnificence and scale.

The Grand of Bournemas built a gym, and Riverpool's Carlton built a car wash. Aunt Betty will return to the graveyard, but for the owner of these buildings, a bright future must be waiting.

Introducing the author

Alain Evans News writer

Most of my career has been spent in teaching, including in some of the UK's leading private schools. I left London in 2000 to set up home in Wales and raise my four beautiful children. I enrolled at university, studied photography and film, and completed my degree, then my master's. In 2014, I helped launch a new local newspaper, successfully publishing a front page, back page and six pages of filler every week. I saw journalism changing and pioneered super-war news in Wales. In 2017, I launched one of the first independent, 24/7 free websites in Wales. Having successfully built this as a business model, I was eager for a new challenge. Joining the company is exciting for me, especially in a new role in Europe. I want to establish myself and help others do the same.