Date of closure: December 1996
Address (for reference only):
Mecca Bingo
London Road
Forest Hill
London
SE23 3TW
With a run of 18 years, Mecca Bingo in Forest Hill had a reasonable innings until in 1996 it fell victim to the economic factors that forced many clubs to close.
A former suburban cinema, the Capitol was quite large with a capacity of over sixteen hundred. Opening in 1929, it was of the Neoclassical style which was quite a common design theme of the time. There were three dressing rooms as the cinema also catered for variety performances, and it had a cafe.
In 1933 ABC Cinemas took over. The last film to be shown was “Scarecrow” when it closed in 1973 – a bad year for cinemas everywhere. It is now a Wetherspoons bar, and many of the original features remain.
By Gareth Whieldon (September 2010)
Other Lost Halls In The Area
An impressive exterior which has remained in good condition due to the building’s grade 2 listed status. The image of the stage shows the original grandeur of a former variety venue, a feature which has obviously been well worth preserving. The overview shot gives a view of the venue from the perspective of the stage. The lighting is a bit odd as well, it doesn’t resemble art deco or any of the fittings that were common back in the day. Perhaps they were replacements.
By Gareth Whieldon (September 2010)
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.
