You are here: Home » Land Bingo » Lost Bingo Halls » L » Kingston Upon Thames Gala Bingo, Richmond Road

Gala Bingo Kingston Upon Thames, Richmond Road, London - Lost Bingo Halls

Details | Club Background & History | Photographs | Other Clubs | Your Comments & Memories

Club Closed: Circa April 2010

Gala Bingo
Richmond Road
Kingston Upon Thames
London
KT2 5ED

View on Google Maps - click here.

Gala Bingo Kingston Upon Thames, Richmond Road Background And History

We don't know exactly why Gala Kingston was suddenly closed in 2010, but we do know a bit about the building's history. Prior to Bingo, the venue was the Regal cinema which opened in 1932, it's first film shown being a Laurel and Hardy feature. It was also a variety hall, and it had dressing rooms to accommodate performers, as well as as a cinema, and with a capacity of almost 2500, which was a fairly large venue. Several famous organists made appearances at the hall to play on the Wurlitzer, including H. Robinson Cleaver, Harold Ramsay, Dudley Savage and Joseph Seal, Phil Park, and Sydney Torch.

In 1936 it was taken over by Union Cinemas, who themselves were taken over by ABC Cinemas, who were taking over pretty much the whole of the cinema during the decade. During the war the cinema did sustain some damage, but it was repaired.

In 1961 it was renamed ABC Cinema, and continued under the name until its closure in 1976. Coral took over, and from 1991 it started operating as Gala Bingo. The building is Listed Grade II, and although its future is uncertain local people are interested in protecting its heritage, and in May 2010 more than 800 people signed a petition against a new nightclub. Council workers also investigated a development project in the building in October 2010, which is good news as it means that at least the building has 'someone watching over it'.

By Gareth Whieldon (October 2010)

More Update - 2011

Apparently there is someone watching over the building, and again its the local residents who are up in arms (again) about proposed plans to turn the premises into a 24 hour drinking venue with facilities fro boxing and wrestling matches. They are understandably upset that they may have to put up with the fall out of drunken behaviour and noise. No-one to date has offered to re-open the bingo hall, and the council must be aware by now that they are losing business council tax, and the longer the situation continues the more likely they will be to settle for any business that comes along offering to take over the premises.

Update - Gareth Whieldon January 2011

Photographs Of The Gala Bingo Kingston Upon Thames, Richmond Road

If you have any photos from this lost hall, be it of its interior, the staff, special events, parties, customers and more; and you'd like to share them here, please contact us to arrange adding them to the site.

Gala Bingo Kingston Upon Thames

Exterior of the now closed Gala Bingo Kingston Upon Thames.

More photos of the Gala Bingo, Richmond Road - click here.

Your Comments And Memories Of The Richmond Road Gala Bingo

Where you connected to the Gala Bingo Richmond Road, Kingston Upon Thames? Be it as a staff member or customer, we'd love to hear about this club when it was open - send your comments and memories about the staff, the members, the events and general atmosphere of this lost bingo club; to keep here for posterity's sake.

Submit your comments and memories here.

No Comments And Memories

Awaiting comments - please contact us to share your memories of this lost bingo club.

Other Clubs In The Area

Listed below are a couple of clubs in the area as an alternative to the Gala Bingo Kingston Upon Thames.

We do try to verify the closure of all clubs featured in this section, which is not always possible. If we've added a club to the lost halls section that isn't closed, please accept our appologies and contact us asap so we can rectify our mistake.

Find Another Lost Hall In A Different Town / City?

Want to look for another lost bingo club in another town? Choose the town / city index for the first letter of the place you're looking for a club in.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q R | S | T | U V W | X Y Z