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An Illustrated UK Bingo History - Part 1 - 1950 to 1968

As a fan of cinema and theatre architecture, Ian Grundy has been making a photographic record of the nation's stock of picture palaces. As the history of Bingo in the UK is so entwined with the history of many of the UK's cinemas, Ian has a collection of images from UK Bingo halls as well as his cinema photographs spanning several decades. Ian has put together for Playing Bingo a history of UK Bingo from the perspective of the changes in ownership and use of the clubs from cinema to Bingo. It's illustrated with some wonderful photographs of some of the UK's finest looking Bingo halls exterior and interiors.

Author: Ian Grundy

From Cinema To Bingo

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Scarborough Mecca - formerly the Capitol Cinema

The game of bingo has been around for hundreds of years in one form or another, since at least the 16th century. The game as we now is today, was the result of a number of factors which came together in the late 1950's and 1960's.

Television was partly responsible, particularly the introduction of ITV between 1955 and 1956, which gave viewers lucky enough to have a set, a choice of entertainment (with the BBC that meant TWO channels)! This had an increasingly disastrous effect on the admissions at cinemas and theatres in the UK. The Entertainment Tax first levied to provide War funds in the First World War, was finally, amid much lobbying, repealed in 1960. However this was too late to save many cinemas, and the industry itself had been hurt by pleading poverty, which suggested an industry in severe decline.

Granada Acton - now a Gala Club

More importantly, the passing of the Gaming Act, also in 1960, opened up new possibilities for business.

Cinemas had been in trouble for a few years - there were simply too many for the demand. The major circuits were Rank (Odeons and Gaumonts), Associated British Cinemas (ABC), Granada, and Essoldo. From 1956 onwards, each of the circuits began closing cinemas. Some were demolished, others diversified into Dance Halls, Concert Halls, and Bowling Alleys. Few such adaptations lasted for long. However, the introduction of Bingo into former cinemas was pretty much an instantaneous success.

Hackney Road Mecca - formerly the Odeon

Rank turned two large London cinemas, the Odeon Hackney Road and the Gaumont Peckham over to Bingo in May 1961.Over the new few years dozens of Odeons and Gaumonts followed, under the banner of Top Rank Social Clubs. Often this started experimentally with bingo played on certain days each week with films on the others, in almost every case bingo quickly took over completely. Rank kept Cine-bingo (mixed usage) going longer than any other company did - the Odeon Hemel Hempstead had a split week of films and bingo as late as 1995.

Walthamstow Dominion - the first Alpha Bingo Club, now closed

ABC named their first conversion Alpha Bingo Club, handily retaining the ABC name! This was in March 1961 at the former Dominion Cinema in Walthamstow, a handsome hall that has only recently closed.

Granada kept its name for the bingo operation; its first conversion was at Mansfield. Essoldo too named its first conversion, the former Savoy Cinema Burnt Oak, Essoldo Bingo in October 1961.

Burnt Oak Savoy seen here as a Top Rank Club

There were of course, many independent cinemas and these blossomed into an equal number of independent bingo halls.

Hull Astoria - an independent bingo club

Conversion was a simple process in most cases, taking out the screen and installing the bingo apparatus in its place, upgrading the lighting so that players could see their cards, and removing the stalls seating so that tables and chairs could be provided. Occasionally the circle seating would also be turned to tables and chairs, but this was more expensive as the steppings had to be altered, and in many cases the cinema seats were left in place for the bingo players. Often a new staircase linking the circle to the front of the stage would be added, so that winners upstairs could be invited down in full view of the hall, instead of traversing the foyers to change levels.

Dudley Gala - the former Hippodrome Theatre

Some larger properties were sub-divided inside, the circle area would be converted into a smaller (sometimes several smaller) cinemas whilst the larger stalls floor became a bingo hall. The Cecil / Cannon cinema in Hull is an example of this, although the cinemas have now closed and been transformed into a sports bar, the bingo however continues!

Continue to Part 2: The 1968 Gaming Act And Beyond >>

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An Illustrated UK Bingo History - Part 1 - 1950 to 1968

From Cinema To Bingo

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