Forum Topic

Gala Bingo

Noticed that this looks like it has been closed? What next for the lovely old cinema building? Probably too much to ask for an actual cinema! ;)

Lucy Walker ● 4548d39 Comments

I've emailed gala and planning to ask - last week - but haven't had a reply.

Sara Nathan ● 4548d

I do love this building and it deserves a lot more respect than Gala seemed to give it.  An indie cinema would be a lot to hope for, but it would be perfect.  Perhaps an alternative for the Acton arts centre?

Ben Smith ● 4548d

Who is going to contact PictureHouse and Curzon then?

Sara Nathan ● 4548d

It's a grade II listed building so the outside can't be touched.......Or can it !!

Ellie Rose ● 4548d

Have tweeted cinema chains...

Sara Nathan ● 4548d

Someone who was clearing the building told me it is going to be a church or mosque!

Lee Moody ● 4546d

Nooo - I'd rather have retail...

Chris Hurley ● 4546d

Such a shame would have to great to see it converted back into a Cinema again.

Tony Crumpton ● 4546d

It'll be yet another mosque - I thought it would be.

David Wright ● 4546d

Definitely not a mosque,saw people looking at it today.

Lee Moody ● 4546d

What sort of people? I can't get a response from Ealing planning and don't have an application number - makes it tricky

Sara Nathan ● 4546d

Preaching, Gospel!

Lee Moody ● 4546d

Such a prime site - you 'd think it would get loads of interest

Sara Nathan ● 4545d

Definitely going to a church group. Had my hair cut this morning in the barbers opposite and he mentioned it.

Tony Crumpton ● 4544d

Would have to be a church with many members and huge resources to justify that site

Sara Nathan ● 4544d

Scientologists!

Thea Buchan ● 4544d

Ealing planning have responded to my (three) emails about the Gala bingo site in Acton High Street. The head of planning east says there are NO outstanding planning applications for that site and that there would have to be for a church or mosque (presumably change of use from Mammon to God!)

Sara Nathan ● 4543d

emails? this was easily searched on the internet ;)

Ron Gill ● 4542d

I didn't like to rely on my own capacity to search (or the website's to respond accurately.) Isn't an assurance from the planning department a tad more reliable?But if you are good at it - could you keep the planning site under review for any related application and let the forum know?

Sara Nathan ● 4542d

I believe it is going to be an evangelical church group.

Pete Grist ● 4541d

And where may I ask are all these worshippers going to park, they don't just have Sunday services?????

Diana Oneill ● 4541d

Perhaps we should borrow some Bingo balls and get each one printed with a word like:-  boutique, delicatessen, estate agent, church, mosque, butchers, baker, candlestick maker,  pub, gym, massage parlour, Waitrose, poundshop, affordable housing, not very affordable housing, coffee shop, fried chicken shop, cinema, thrash metal rock venue,museum, art gallery, office tower block.We each pick a ball at random,  the winner gets a year's free membership to the Everybody Action Active Acton Central Everyone Activity . . . errr, ummm, the new Acton Town Hall place.

Fred Bray ● 4541d

Same place as the bingo players did - or didn't I suppose.Do worshippers drive more than gamblers?

Sara Nathan ● 4541d

I am just pleased it is Grade 2 listed - I have been wandering around Acton trying to guess which historic building will next to be targeted by developers and Gala was top of my list given the size of the site.

Richard Grange ● 4541d

No doubt it will become a Pentecostal Church

Jane Kelly ● 4541d

Is that a growth church at the moment?I think I would guess it's not about to become C of E - but beyond that...how does anyone know?What distinguishes the theology of the Pentecostal church from other Christian sects?

Sara Nathan ● 4541d

I very rarely saw people going in there when it was a bingo hall, so I guess it didn't get enough customers to survive.  Plus footfall will have been spread over all hours and days of the week, whereas church necessarily involves a lot of people congregating (literally) at very specific times.  There are a lot of other churches in Acton which either have big car parks (the network church on East Acton Lane) or attract a lot of street parking (the one on Friars Place Lane).

Ben Smith ● 4541d

Hoe about a church for Atheists.  No self respecting Atheist  would attend.

Nikki Howard ● 4541d

I believe there is one: http://sundayassembly.com/

Chris Hurley ● 4540d

Always full on Sat. mornings when it was the Granada and only 6 old pence to get in

David Swallow ● 4540d

Chris.It is then the religious side of non-religion?

Nikki Howard ● 4540d

It's been bought by a church - the Destiny Christian Centre - who sound quite pro-active and want to be engaged with the local communty.They are applying for planning permission to go from D2 to D1 (or vice versa!) one is for a bingo hall, the other a church or community purpose.The pastor and his agent have written to the Churchfield Community Association - and for all I know, other community groups and want to discuss how the church integrates with Acton.Sounds like a positive spirit anyhow...

Sara Nathan ● 4537d

Love God, Love People, Love LifeJust hope it's not another of those dubious American Style Sects.destinychristiancentre.org/london -

Nikki Howard ● 4537d

Or one with missionaries.

Kim Rugg ● 4537d

Oh Dear, just went to check out the "Destiny Christian Centre" and my Avast Anti Virus/Malware went bananas when their website hoved into view !!! :-Infection BlockedURL: h_www_destinychristiancentre_org__london__wp-content...Infection: JS:Iframe-DGB [Trj]Relax, your avast! just saved you from a virus.

Rosco White ● 4537d

It is indeed http://www.destinychristiancentre.org/london/homepage/They have even uploaded a graphic display of the building with their massive signs under the title "our new home".When it comes to planning permission, nobody cares - just ask the illegal Shisha cafe opposite who put up the back building monstrosity without permission and new refuses to tear it down after the Council has given them a rightful notice. They will fight with the worshippers for unlawful parking in front of the fire gate and on the pavement though.

Henrik Rasmussen ● 4537d

I've been taking an interest in this.As the building has previously been used for public gatherings the group may not have to apply for change of use. Not sure about parking though. Where did the Bingo customers park?

Maire Lowe ● 4536d

In all the years I've lived in the area, I've only ever seen a handful of people come and go from the bingo hall (it has closed, after all), so I doubt parking was a problem until now -- it was probably a bingo hall before Britain decided to start driving everywhere.  But I can easily see parking becoming a problem on certain mornings (there's space for, what, 4 cars outside?).  It's a landmark building on the high street so I hope its listed status gives it some real protection.

Ben Smith ● 4536d

According to both the planning department AND the new owners, it does need planning permission. Dunno about parking. In theory, no more would be needed for church than bingo - maybe they'll all come by bus from Kensington. Is it a big church? It must be quite a rich one given they want to restore some of the original features apparently.

Sara Nathan ● 4536d