Listen to this article:A Buzz Bingo hall that closed its doors in 2023 is due to undergo a major transformation after plans to convert it into a self-storage facility received approval.
Buzz Bingo announced two years ago that it would close nine clubs, including its Grantham site, due to what Chief Executive Dominic Mansour described as an “ongoing and challenging operating environment.”
As Mansour explained at the time,
“In common with the entire leisure and hospitality sector, Buzz Bingo has failed to see customers return to the high street in the same numbers as before the pandemic. This, coupled with a squeeze on family finances brought about by rising inflation and energy prices alongside a jump in our own operating costs means we have no real option other than to cease trading in nine of our locations.”
The decision was not taken lightly, and Mansour acknowledged the difficult impact this had on the employees involved. He said that the company did all it could to support those affected and to minimise job losses. Overall, Overall, the closures hit 151 employees nationwide, including 22 jobs at the Grantham venue alone.
After Buzz Bingo in Grantham shut its doors for the final time in 2023, the property was subsequently listed for sale at £1.2 million. It marked the end of an era for a venue that had served as an important social hub and community gathering point for many residents in Grantham and the surrounding areas.
Any hopes that bingo players in the area had that the club would be reopened were dashed this week when South Kesteven District Council approved a planning application from 4 Brothers Properties Ltd.
The approved redevelopment will convert the venue into a state-of-the-art self-storage facility. The project includes major changes to the existing structure, such as adding two roller shutter doors to facilitate easier access, building a new entrance specifically designed for a reception area, and developing 15 premium drive-up storage units within the current car park. To improve security, the plans also detail installing a two-metre security fence around the perimeter and incorporating security gates.
In the planning application submitted to the council, 4 Brothers Properties Ltd explained:
“Self-storage facilities work in two ways. Storage can either be provided within a larger building or in separate rented units. The separate units can be traditional shipping containers or steel structures, or within purpose-built ‘drive-up’ units, which attract a higher rental price due to being a premium offering.”
The application gave further details about customer interactions. It said that customers would enter the site and head directly to their rented unit before loading or unloading their vehicle and then leaving. As such, the plans said that providing dedicated parking spaces for customers would be “impractical” as they would only be staying for short periods and would hinder loading or unloading.
“Customers using the main facility building tend to spend more time on site. They would enter the site, park in the dedicated car park, and proceed to the main reception. After being guided to the main storage area, they would either load or unload their vehicle. However, their vehicle would remain parked in the car park. Due to travel distances, customers using the main facility tend to store boxes and similar items that can be easily carried.”
Once completed and operational, the new self-storage facility aims to cater to both private individuals and businesses requiring flexible storage solutions. The facility’s opening hours are planned to accommodate varied customer schedules, operating Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturdays from 8am to 3pm, and Sundays from 8am to 2pm.
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