Date of closure: 1993
Address (for reference only):
Top Rank Bingo
Mare Street
Hackney
London
E8 3RD
At the moment we do not have details of the events that led up to, or any of the circumstances surrounding the closure of the Top Rank Bingo Hackney, but we do know a bit about the venue’s past. The building was originally a chapel, which was converted into a theatre (photo on our gallery page). Built in 1777, in 1912 St. Thomas’s Square Presbyterian Chapel became the Empress Electric Theatre.
Originally seating 1,100, the insides were completely rebuilt in 1933 when it was closed for a transformation by renowned cinema architect George Coles. Seating was increased by over 500, and the design was Art Deco. It was purchased by the Essoldo chain in 1955 but only lasted for 12 years before closing. Originally opening as Essoldo Bingo, it’s last owners being Top Rank Bingo. Unfortunately since the closure of Top Rank Bingo in 1993 the building has been demolished, and flats have been built on the site.
If you have any further details that may assist us, and you would like to share them with our readers, we would love to hear from you. If you let us know what you know, we will put the details online with your name credited (if you wish, or we can credit the article as anonymous). You will be doing a service to the bingo community and posterity by helping us record details of all Britain’s bingo clubs and halls. Thank you.
By Gareth Whieldon (January 2013)
