Wallasey Capitol Bingo – Seaview Road

Capitol Bingo in Wallasey had a run for about twenty years, we are not sure why it closed, but it was probably a victim of the factors that sent many clubs to the wall during the period.

We do know that it was originally the ‘Capitol’ cinema, which opened in 1926, with a reasonable patron capacity of 1,390. Originally opened as an independent, it only lasted four years before being taken over by ABC Cinemas, who were aggressively buying out cinemas during the thirties. It went through a brief modernisation in the late fifties, and an updated cinema screen was added as well as changes to the interior decor.

Prior to internal changes, the cinema had a depiction of three galleons in full sail above the stage, and a cafe, which was a common feature of the cinemas of the day.

It closed as a cinema in 1974, which was a bad year for cinemas, and there was a four year gap before it reopened as Capitol Bingo. If you have any further information about the club that you would like to impart to us, please tell us, we’d love to hear from you.

By Gareth Whieldon (August 2010)