Date of closure: 21st February 2010
Address (for reference only):
Gala Bingo (Lost Halls)
Camberwell Road
Camberwell
London
SE5 0DL
Gala have announced another club closure, and again similar themes are evident, financial considerations being the main issue as a result of the smoking ban and taxation. The club had been going for over forty years, under different owners which included Mecca Bingo and Jasmine Bingo. It looks like Gala will be the last owner as the property appears to have been earmarked in a private sale, and bingo is not on the new agenda.
As with many closures, this has hit the local community hard, particularly those who had been going for years and have developed friendships as a result. The worst hit are perhaps ‘bingo veterans’ who unlike younger people have less access to transportation, computers, and other facets that basically help people to participate in communication networks. Although you will be ‘shushed’ for speaking while numbers are being called, people go to bingo for mainly social reasons, and accordingly Camberwell was no exception.
Whilst membership has been offered at alternative clubs, transportation will be an issue for some. Our hearts at Playing Bingo do go out to the residents who have lost something special, and we hope that someone locally has the sense to fill this ‘yawning gap’.
By Gareth Whieldon (24th March 2010)
Why is this even in the list. This bingo hall has not existed for the last 10 years and is now a church?
Exactly why it is in our Lost Halls section, dedicated to clubs that are now long gone.
Omg ,Gala Camberwell was my greatest club indeed,before we were Gala,we were Jasmine Bingo,Before that we were Zetters Bingo,,and most of all in 1977 I joined the lovely Fabulous MECCA BINGO CAMBERWELL,,,omg so many many lovely happy MEMORIES,,IF any body sees this and knows me please please Message me,many thanks chunky,,David Holt,,04/05/25,