Listen to this article:There is good news for bingo players in Sheffield. An application has been made to transform a former bank into a bingo hall, gym, and tanning salon.
Sheffield City Council is currently reviewing plans to convert the site of the Halifax Bank on the High Street, which has been sitting empty since last summer after the bank decided not to renew its lease on the building. A decision will be made by council planning officers by 6 March.
The planning document proposes converting the building’s basement into a gym, using the ground floor for bingo, and creating a solarium/tanning salon on the first floor.
The application has been submitted by Amuse 2016 Limited. It argues that the three businesses involved in the plan, which would require a £1 million investment, would complement each other as well as other businesses on the High Street by attracting new customers to the area.
“The development as a whole will add to the vitality and viability of the street, which is showing signs of suffering at the moment. The proposal will add to the growth and diversification of the city centre and bring back into use a vacant building.”
A separate report highlighted that the property has not been in demand since the bank’s decision to leave, even with an offer of a rent reduction. According to the report, Halifax Bank paid rent of £300,000 but there has been no interest in the building even at the reduced rate of £95,000.
“Subject to the grant of planning and appropriate licences, the applicant has committed to a 15 year lease and will invest between £600,000 and £700,000 just in the bingo unit on the ground floor. The overall investment in this development will be £1m with approximately 20 staff working at the premises. The applicant is seeking 24/7 use which is essential for the premises to operate as viable bingo premises.”
This is welcome news, especially considering the recent closure of Buzz Bingo in Worthington. While one bingo hall shuts its doors, another is set to open, restoring balance and providing new opportunities for bingo enthusiasts.
The people of Sheffield clearly have a great love for bingo, as there are a number of venues already available.
Mecca has a hall on Flat Street, which is just a few minutes’ walk from the proposed new venue on the High Street. It opens daily with afternoon and evening sessions. It also houses a number of slot machines, and players can enjoy a range of food and drink.
There are also two Buzz venues, one at Sheffield Parkway and one at Sheffield Wadsley. While these are both slightly outside of the city centre, they also open daily with several sessions a day and offer visitors food, drinks, slot machines, and numerous in-club promotions.
Furthermore, Bongo’s Bingo holds regular events in Sheffield, which regularly attract big crowds and sell out far in advance. There are also weekly Flamingo Bingo sessions at the Slug and Lettuce, and a number of smaller events at various local bars and restaurants.
As further proof of the popularity of bingo in Sheffield, the company behind the planning application, Amuse 2016 Limited, is the operator of Shipleys Bingo Clubs, which is licensed and regulated by the UKGC. The company already has a venue on the Haymarket. However, it is a slots venue.
Nonetheless, the company clearly believes that there is enough demand to open an additional bingo hall in the city centre.
While it is one of the UK’s smaller bingo operators, it does have clubs in several cities including Bristol, Middlesbrough, Swindon, West Bromwich, and Worcester. They run daily sessions, participate in the National Bingo Game, and are generally well-known for providing players with a top time. Therefore, if the planning application is approved, it can only be good news for Sheffield’s bingo players.
We do not sell or share your information with anyone. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Latest
