Date of closure: 1996
Address (for reference only):
Top Rank Bingo
The Broadway
Wood Green
London
N22 6DS
Wood Green Rank Bingo closed in 1996, but fortunately, there is a Mecca Bingo hall open in Wood Green. The building started life as the Gaumont Palace in 1934, and it had a massive seating capacity of over 2,200 which is not rare for London cinemas. It was a site for variety as well, facilitated by a massive stage, and dressing rooms for visiting actors.
The theatre was renamed the Odeon in 1962, and its restaurant was converted into a dance studio. After a series of alterations, the cinema closed in 1984 to make way for bingo. Top Rank only lasted for 12 years before closing the operation, and the premises have since been converted into a church.
By Gareth Whieldon (September 2010)
This is another of those bingo halls/cinemas whose exterior belies the enormity of the interior. The auditorium photo shows only a portion of this huge club. Detail shots show that this was a truly well decorated cinema in its day. The lighting appears to be original, although we are not sure if any replacements have been made.
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.
In 1965 “THE RANK” in Wood Green was fantastic, The true in crowd in north London, Gary Austin, Gary Smith, Frank Noyce, Terry Ling, Trevor,
Steve Jacobs ( he worked in the cloakroom) Val, Linda, Carol.
Terrific people
When the rank was closed during the week we went to the Royal Totenham or Cooks Ferry Inn Edmonton most of the guys had a Vespa or a Lambretta
Gary G6NYH@AOL.COM