Date of closure: 27th February 2007
Address (for reference only):
London Road
Hounslow
London
TW3 1PD
Mecca Bingo’s Hounslow club had a good run of 45 years before closing in 2007. The club was located in the Dominion Cinema which closed down in 1961. With seating for over two thousand, it was a very big cinema that also catered for theatre. Opening in 1931, it was another example of architect Frederick E. Bromige’s Art Deco style theatres, which became the most popular design style for cinemas for at least a decade. The venue was fully equipped, with a cafe, dressing roms, and a Wurlitzer organ.
In 1937, the cinema was taken over by Odeon, at a time when many independent cinemas were being taken over either by Odeon, or ABC cinemas. The last film to be shown was “Snow White and the Three Clowns” starring Carol Heiss. Sadly, despite the popularity of the bingo club, it did fall prey to the economic problems of the mid 2000s, and it was eventually demolished.
By Gareth Whieldon (July 2010)
The photograph below shows what looks like a quiet evening in Hownslow’s Mecca Bingo before it closed. Fruit machines in the background, but there doesn’t appear to be any electronic bingo going on. The view is from the stage, so unfortunately we can’t see any calling going on. Are you in this picture, do you have any tales to tell us about the club? If so, please contact us, we’d love to hear from you.
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.
I joined Top Rank in 1977 as a trainee manager and my first position was at Top Rank, Hounslow. A Mr. Simon was the manager then and ran a very “tight ship”. Every afternoon and evening the club was busy. Tuesdays nights being the quietest. One Sunday afternoon we were selling the wrong tickets and had to get everyone back to booksales to exchange for the right ones. The queue went as far as the bus station. Happy days.
Hi Ron do you remember all of the staff that work at the top rank in Hounslow I’m just wondering if you knew anyone that might be related to me or someone who might have any information that could help me.