Gala Bingo, Kings Heath, Birmingham, August 2010

[Angelus]

History

King’s Heath Gala Bingo closed in 2007 after providing entertainment for bingo players for almost 20 years. The building was originally an architect designed cinema in the neo-classical style which opened in 1925.

Another victim of the rising tide of bingo hall closures, the premises have not been demolished, but it is unlikely that they will return to bingo as local business people are seeking planning permission for conversion to a restaurant and conference centre.

Report

After cutting my hand and not noticing till my shirt was covered in blood we was in. Amazing place. Very wet in places with bent copper pipes in a lot of places. One set of toilets had a waterfall coming out a light fitting. Lights and power still on so saves on batteries. Loved it here though

Photos

I know its been done loads but still a top explore

 

[hydealfred]

Like the hat and can I have some popcorn please Interesting places these old bingo halls.

 

[Lost Explorer]

Its a good explore. Even the telephone still works!

 

[ImmortalShadow]

Its a good explore. Even the telephone still works!

Which one? I found 3, and none of them seemed to work
It was a great explore, a nice suprise to find somewhere I hardly needed to use a torch in I'd upload my photos, but they're all similar to the ones already posted on this site.

 

[borntobemild]

I'm pleased they're not going to demolish it.

Remember the place when it was still a cinema. Used to live other side of Highbury Park.

Nice hat - do you wear it on all your explores?

 

[tommo]

these bingo sites are great, and they always have such nice ceilings in th eold places

 

[Potter]

From near my original neck of the woods.

Fantastic.

Love how the TV still works. That's an Amstrad stereo isn't it?

 

[Lost Explorer]

Which one? I found 3, and none of them seemed to work
It was a great explore, a nice suprise to find somewhere I hardly needed to use a torch in I'd upload my photos, but they're all similar to the ones already posted on this site.

There was one in the staff room which still worked

This room here:

 

[spacepunk]

Was the Callers podium still operational?

 

[Lost Explorer]

Was the Callers podium still operational?

Nope! Alll the equipment had been unplugged and removed. Just a mess of cables in the cupboard below im afraid

 

[UrbeX]

Gala Bingo

Was Gala Bingo a chain? Because I have a Gala Bingo near me which I believe is set out in an old cinema and recently shut its doors. It looks like a great explore! I wonder if it looks the same as this one?

A question; were the lights on when you went in, or did you have to stumble around in the dark to find the light switches?

 

[Lost Explorer]

Was Gala Bingo a chain? Because I have a Gala Bingo near me which I believe is set out in an old cinema and recently shut its doors. It looks like a great explore! I wonder if it looks the same as this one?

A question; were the lights on when you went in, or did you have to stumble around in the dark to find the light switches?

Yeah Gala bingo is a large chain, they have casinos and stuff too. I would imagine it would be similar!!

The lights actually were on, but the switch is in a small cupboard near reception. We turned them out when we left

 

[ImmortalShadow]

The lights were all on when we went which was a pleasent but surreal suprise, we didn't turn them off when we left.