A familiar building in the heart of Andover may soon take on a new life and purpose. The former Mecca Leisure Bingo Hall on Junction Road—once a popular bingo venue and a buzzing hub for social games and gatherings—is now the subject of a planning application to transform it into a Muslim place of worship and a community centre.
The application, submitted by Illias Mustafa on behalf of the local Muslim community, is seeking retrospective approval for the change of use. According to the supporting planning statement, the building was acquired after the local council identified it as a suitable site for such a transformation.
A Shift in Community Needs
Initially opened in 1976, the Mecca Bingo Hall served Andover’s residents for decades before closing. With changing entertainment habits, COVID culls, and the rise of online gaming, many such buildings have fallen into disuse. In this case, however, the building is poised for reinvention rather than dereliction.
BingoDaily reported that the site of the Andover bingo hall was sold by Rank to an unknown buyer in September 2021. This was during the great cull of bingo venues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mecca Bingo Andover was then closed for good on August 14th, almost a year later.
The proposed new use is both practical and symbolic—a repurposing of space to reflect the town’s evolving demographics and community needs. The Muslim group behind the proposal has been operating in the area for over ten years, previously based at 48 East Street. The new location would offer more room and facilities for its growing congregation and outreach programs.
Daily use of the hall is expected to be modest, with Friday midday prayers as the busiest time. The planning statement emphasizes that visits will be staggered throughout the day, minimizing any impact on local traffic and amenities.
The external appearance of the building would remain unchanged. Only minor internal refurbishments have been made so far—new carpets, paintwork, and furniture replacements—preserving the recognisable frontage of the Junction Road building.
From Silver Screen to Bingo Hall
Constructed around 1926 and designed by architect F. Henshaw, the venue originally opened as the Palace Cinema, accommodating 867 patrons. In 1937, it was rebranded as the Odeon, and later in 1967, it became the Classic Cinema. During its cinematic tenure, the auditorium was adapted to serve dual purposes—hosting bingo games in the stalls while continuing film screenings in the circle. Eventually, the space was unified into a single hall.
The Mecca Bingo Era
In 1976, the building transitioned into Mecca Bingo Andover, aligning with the broader UK trend of converting former cinemas into bingo halls during the mid-20th century. The venue featured seating for 250 guests, a bar, a snack area, and slot machines, becoming a cherished entertainment spot for locals. Mecca Bingo Andover operated for over four decades before its closure in August 2022
Community Support and Concerns
So far, according to local reports, over 150 local residents have signed in support of the proposal, according to the application. The document claims the new use would not only preserve an underutilized space but also provide “a socially valuable development” that promotes community integration.
However, not everyone is fully on board. One local resident, Ann Garman of Balmoral Road, voiced concern about parking pressures and road safety. “Safety is also an issue,” she wrote. “Would-be parkers for the former bingo hall are flying around the roads looking for a space.” Garman suggested she wouldn’t oppose the plans if residents-only parking restrictions were introduced during peak hours.
Looking Ahead
The council is now reviewing the proposal as part of its formal planning process. If approved, this change would reflect a broader shift seen across many UK towns, where disused leisure or retail spaces are being reimagined to serve new community functions, including trying to solve the housing crisis blighting the UK.
While the building may no longer echo with calls of “two little ducks” and “eyes down,” its future offers a different kind of gathering, one rooted in faith and not bingo.
The post From House of Bingo to House of Prayer: A New Mecca for Andover? appeared first on BingoDaily.