NOW Mecca Bingo in Taunton has closed, we have asked residents and visitors to share their views on what they would like to see it become next.
On Sunday, June 7, the former Grade-II-listed venue on Corporation Street in Taunton closed its doors for good and has been met with mixed responses from the community.
The bingo building, which opened as the Gaumont Palace in 1932, has been a key part of Taunton’s history, having hosted bands such as The Beatles in the 60s and 70s.
The space eventually was renamed the Odeon Cinema in 1969, which closed in 1981 and was converted into a Top Rank bingo club, later Mecca Bingo.
Those who shared their views with the County Gazette said they would like to see the space restored to its former glory as a cinema.
Others have said they would like it to become a space for the younger generation to use, including a theatre, an Odeon cinema, a place for youth groups to perform, a nightclub, a cheese bar, a wrestling venue, a food hall, and a snooker hall.
‘It is a shame it closed’
Marione Jones, 89, who lives in Taunton, said: “Taunton certainly isn't what it was when we first moved here.
“I saw people going into the bingo hall, and they were so well dressed, they were more posh than I was going to church.
“It is a shame it has closed.”
She said she would like to see space being used by young people in town, specifically for drama groups.
She said: “There’s not a lot for young people in town to do. There are drama groups of youngsters who need a space to rehearse, that sort of thing.”
‘You could make something really nice out of it’
Keith Murray, another Taunton resident, said he was ‘shocked’ when he found out about the bingo venue closing.
He said: “It’s difficult because you have already got a cinema out of town. I don’t know what you would use it for really because we already have everything you would want in a town.
“What about a snooker hall? With pool, darts and snooker in there. I can’t think of anything else sensible. You certainly don’t want to turn it into flats as well, that’s what everyone else has done.
“It’s a lovely building so you could make something quite nice out of it, you’ve got the space to do it. You could have a drinking area downstairs, or some games, slot machines for everyone to enjoy. You could make it something for everyone.”
He added: “You could do the front of the building quite sensibly, especially since it is a Grade II listed building. You could make something nice out of it."
Sandra Murray said: “We were just a bit stunned that it was closing, really, because it has been a key fixture for a long time.
“Not a cafe. We’ve got more than enough cafes all over the place.
“There is not a lot for the youths in Taunton, to be truthful, apart from the high ropes. It could be a snooker/pool hall. Young people like pool.”
She also said it would be near the transport hub, which is currently undergoing a £3.2 million redevelopment, so the building would be easily accessible to all.
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‘It is a shame’
Roger and Sue from Bridgwater said they used the space when it was a cinema, describing it as ‘quite nice’ and that they remembered when the Beatles performed there, although Roger sadly ‘couldn’t get a ticket’.
They said: “A theatre would be nice. A theatre, a music venue, or even going back to a cinema, you could even do the lot."
The pair mentioned how the Mecca Bingo building in Bridgwater shut down and is now ‘an eyesore’ with squatters currently occupying the space and said it ‘is a shame’ and that they hope the same doesn't happen to the Taunton building.
Sacha Gill, 19, said he would also like to see the former Mecca Bingo be returned to its 'former glory' and to reopen as a live music venue or theatre.
What the general public thinks on social media
We also asked the general public to share their thoughts over social media, with many saying they found the closure ‘shocking’.
Rayna Harvey commented: “Anything but apartments please.”
Thomas Savage said: “Town probably can't support anything in that building; an independent stall emporium would be great but likely fail as won't get the needed passing trade and even if it did, the building's a liability few want or can afford.”
Ruthie Irvine said: “No doubt [it will] sit empty like Debenhams. So sad that Taunton history is being left to rot. Make a great music venue though.”
Ed Surtees said: “Love it to be a cinema in the centre of town. So accessible for everyone to watch movies, rather than the current Odeon, which is so far out of the centre.”
Alison Hearts said: “If they turned into a venue where people can see live groups, that would be wonderful. That would be so worthwhile. People could even see their favourite group live.”
Simon Dyer said: “Multipurpose venue is the only way forward; theatre, music venue and cinema. Like all businesses, the more revenue streams, the better chance of viability.”
Project Gaumont
Andrew Knutt, chairman of Project Gaumont, has launched a petition to reclaim the space as a 'civic, community, entertainment, arts and culture use'. The petition has more than 2,640 signatures.
Project Gaumont was started up as far back as 2009, in a bid to restore and revitalise the Gaumont Palace in Taunton.
Speaking on the proposed Mecca Bingo closure, Mr Knut said: "I'm very excited that the news bows to us, as now we can plan forward and start really pushing our public campaign, looking for funding.
"We have set up a community trust, which is basically where people are shareholders.
"The acts at the proposed entertainment venue won't be too big because it'll only be a 1000-plus seater venue.
"Now we will be working in the next two or three years to make it happen."
Under the proposed Project Gaumont plans, a restored Gaumont Palace could once again host local amateur productions, touring acts, film festivals, comedy nights, live events and more.
