Bingo hall closure a blow for shops
 | | Bipin Patel, of Turnbull's Chemist |
THE NUMBERS are down as businesses struggle to cope with the closure of Islington's only bingo hall.
Mecca Bingo Club in Essex Road, Islington, shut a month ago (March 25) because its bosses Rank feared July's smoking ban in public places would cause a drop in takings.
 | | The boarded up Mecca Bingo Hall |
But for shops nearby this has dealt a devastating blow.
Bipin Patel, owner of Turnbull's Chemist, in Essex Road, said: "For us it's had a massive drop. A lot of elderly people who used to come to the bingo used to come to us with their prescriptions.
"There were about 600 people going in there every day and about 10 per cent of those would come into the shop. It's a huge drop. There was no contingency plan, we couldn't have because there was only a month's notice."
He added: "We have seen some people come back but they have indicated that it's too far and I can understand that.
"When we go and see patients in the evening they want to hold on to us and talk to us. They have lost a chance to see friends now the bingo has closed."
Alishah Nomee, who works in Happy Stores newsagents, next door, said: "We have lost around £150 a day since they closed it. They used to buy pens, drinks, chocolates, everything. We used to be very busy after 7pm and now it's empty."
Terry Edwards, who works at the flower stall near the bingo hall in Essex Road, said: "They used to buy flowers and things, especially if it was someone's birthday."
Church bidding to take over the empty building
AN EVANGELICAL church has joined a bidding war to take over the former Mecca Bingo Club.
A nightclub owner and someone who wants to open a jazz café are among the others interested in taking over the listed building in Essex Road, Islington, the Gazette has learned.
Aaron Armah, marketing director for Resurrection Power Evangelistic Ministries, based in Stamford Hill, said: "We are a global church with branches all over the world and a lot of people in the area have shown an interest or concerns that they don't want the place turning into a nightclub or a pub. A lot of the elderly people have met us and that has prompted us to go try and buy the building and turn it into a church and community centre."
Members of the church met with residents last Thursday to discuss their plans. If its bid is successful, the church plans to provide somewhere for elderly people to go, along with other alcohol rehabilitation and mentoring schemes.
The 3,500 square metre former Carlton Cinema is on the market at £120,000 a year on a 15-year lease.
But estate agent Colliers CRE is also considering offers to buy it outright. The building can be used for bingo, betting, leisure or community uses. It is understood bids must be made before April 30 and a decision is likely next month.
Rank, the company that currently owns the lease, did not want to comment.
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