Date of closure: August 2022
Address (for reference only):
Mecca Bingo (Lost Halls)
54 Eastgate Street
Gloucester
GL1 1QN
Gloucester’s Mecca traced a classic Rank lineage from cinema to Top Rank Bingo to Mecca, and the building had a remarkably long life for it. It opened on 25 November 1935 as the Plaza Super Cinema, designed by E. C. M. Wilmott, a substantial single-screen venue with 1,845 seats across stalls and circle, and a restrained but recognisable 1930s facade of stone and brick with stepped parapet and projecting oriel windows. It was taken over by the Circuits Management Association in 1956, soon absorbed into Rank, and reopened as the Odeon on 28 January 1957. The Odeon closed on 30 August 1975, and the building was converted almost immediately into a Top Rank Bingo Club, only later becoming Mecca Bingo at some point during the 1990s.
That gave the building roughly 47 years of continuous bingo use, longer than its 40 years as a cinema, though Mecca itself only ran it for the final quarter century. By its later years it offered traditional and electronic bingo, gaming machines, a licensed bar and food facilities in a strong city centre spot near Kings Walk and Eastgate, though it was reportedly quieter than Gloucester’s other major hall, Gala Gloucester. Mecca announced closure in July 2022, with the club shutting that summer after 46 years of Top Rank and Mecca operation combined. Unlike many former Mecca buildings, this one didn’t sit empty for long. It was taken on by Intervision Gaming and reopened in 2025 as The Razz, a new adult gaming and entertainment venue, giving the old Plaza a genuine third act rather than leaving it derelict.
This is the noisiest bingo club I have been too. Whilst you’re trying to play main bingo the staff are emptying cash line, counting the change and talking all the way through. Would I go there again? No I wouldn’t, way too noisy!
I went a couple of weeks ago when I had something through the post to say £5 all in, so I went and when I got there it came to £11 which I wasn’t happy about, as that is false adverting. People in front of me walked out cause they though it was £5 all in. Well, as for the bingo it’s alway the same people winning! The ladies all call way too fast so you miss numbers! The prize money £5 one line! £5 two lines! £10 for full house! That is nothing and is silly. The fruit machines don’t really even pay out and mainly turned off all the time!!! Would I come again??? NO I WOULDN’T!
Had not been to this club before, found staff pleasant and helpful. Money was good even got to meet manager Neil who really is a nice guy. I go to clubs all over the country and compare them and found that all clubs on top of my list are Mecca clubs.
My mother Grace Brown has been coming to this bingo hall since it opened. She passed away 5th Sept 2013, and there was not even a card, acknowledgement of her illness or death. I’m deeply appalled, and will NEVER step foot it ANY of your bingo halls again. Very disgruntled EX-PLAYER.
I have been going to Mecca bingo since it was opened in Barton Street, and at that time we were queuing to get in, and had to pay, it is my only pleasure, though money is not much now, the online players use it, but me and my daughter would never go elsewhere, the staff are all lovely, and nothing is to much trouble for them, I dread it closing down, love it.
I am missing Mecca bingo so much, cannot play online, so when will Mecca bingo be reopening, it’s the only time I can go out in afternoon, my daughter and I love our time there, we can’t wait after all these months, miss the staff and our friends, and people to talk and laugh with. So Gloucester Mecca please open soon. Hope all the staff are well.
Is this building up for sale?