Comments from Biffaskin

Showing 451 - 475 of 609 comments

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Picturedrome on Jan 7, 2021 at 8:14 am

Initial conversion to bingo was as part of the Wild Bingo group, then passing to Stratton and finally Cascade Bingo before conversion to the eatery.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about ABC Forest Hill on Jan 6, 2021 at 2:37 pm

Mecca disposed of several bingo clubs to Jasmine Bingo, this was one of them, and they were the final bingo operators here.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Streatham Hill Theatre on Jan 6, 2021 at 1:34 pm

Last operated by Beacon Bingo, they were the ones who floodlit the frontage at night, in a lovely purple i seam to remember.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Studios 5,6,7,8 on Jan 6, 2021 at 10:00 am

Robboehm- it was called Studio 5-6-7-8 as Star operated Studio 1-2-3-4 on Oxford Street at the same time as here.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Commodore Theatre on Jan 6, 2021 at 8:43 am

Initially converted into an Alpha Bingo Club before Mecca took over. Mike Blakemore’s image shows BINGO on the canopy, still with the neon ABC triangle on the building.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Rialto Theatre on Jan 5, 2021 at 4:07 pm

Apparently rioters targeted the furniture emporium, as those on benefits received grants in the form of vouchers to be spent at this store only. The prices for the second-hand furniture was very high for what it was, so the vouchers bought less than was perhaps anticipated, hence being targeted….

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Savoy Kinema on Jan 5, 2021 at 2:03 pm

Address should be 1179…

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Theatre Royal on Jan 5, 2021 at 10:28 am

Cover photo clearly how’s the van advertising the Alpha Bingo Club here, later operating as a Gala Club, and now the independent Ritz Bingo Club. Mecca have never operated this venue.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about ABC Kidderminster on Jan 5, 2021 at 9:49 am

The gallery photo shows the bingo operating as EMI Bingo, this seams to follow a pattern, as other sites initially have Star Bingo which later changed to EMI Bingo, another example being the Savoy/ABC Exeter.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Marina Cinema on Jan 5, 2021 at 8:36 am

Harry Rigby’s postcard shows this venue operating on cine-bingo, the board on the left saying films start at 6.30pm, with cash bingo underneath, the days/times unreadable though.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about ABC Hove on Jan 4, 2021 at 10:45 am

Ian’s link on bingo in 1986 shows it as a Granada Bingo Club..

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about B.B. Cinema on Jan 3, 2021 at 5:11 pm

Bright & Beautiful… the B.B. Cinemas operated in the town hall I believe.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Lyric Cinema on Jan 3, 2021 at 4:35 pm

Upon closure as a cinema, it re-opened as the Lyric Bingo & Social Club.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Tivoli Cinema on Jan 3, 2021 at 4:30 pm

The bingo operation decided on using the older name of Electra for the bingo club.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Grand Cinema on Jan 3, 2021 at 2:09 pm

According to the Chester Cinemas website entry for this cinema, upon closure, the Grand tried bingo unsuccessfully.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Rex Cinema on Jan 3, 2021 at 1:23 pm

Wasn’t it a lovely auditorium!

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Rex Cinema on Jan 3, 2021 at 1:23 pm

On bingo nights, Classic operated this venue under it’s Vogue Bingo & Social Club name.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Essoldo Cippenham on Jan 1, 2021 at 4:54 pm

This is a sad picture that I posted, not just because it’s the demolition of a cinema, but also, if you look top right corner of the remaining roofline, the grey shaded figure is of a demolition worker falling off the roof.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Regent Cinema on Jan 1, 2021 at 4:11 pm

The Regent became an EMI Bingo Club initially, so would have been taken over by ABV when they bought the Shipman & King Circuit.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Scala Hall on Dec 31, 2020 at 7:02 pm

The complex comprises two halls, both flat floored. The Brixham Theatre is accessed via the main entrance and up a flight of stairs. The Scala Hall has a separate entrance, as shown in the photographs, the hall being at ground floor level under the theatre.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Embassy Cinema on Dec 31, 2020 at 3:21 pm

One of Wetherspoon’s better conversions it has to be said.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about ABC Carlton Boscombe on Dec 31, 2020 at 2:34 pm

Lucky 7 Bingo & Social Club was a trading name of Ladbroke’s.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Beaufort Cinema on Dec 31, 2020 at 11:22 am

So, refused Listing because of the ‘fake’ Tudor interior… you’ve got to wonder about those who make decisions regarding Listing… surely that was the whole point of it’s interior? Was the same said of the ‘fake’ interior of the Granada, Tooting in London? I think not!! Complete muppetry.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about ABC Edgbaston on Dec 31, 2020 at 10:36 am

After bingo closed, it was taken over by Mecca Ltd as the Old Time Music Hall - see Mike Blakemore’s photo on here.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Essoldo Birkenhead on Dec 31, 2020 at 10:28 am

Essoldo swapped bingo operations from the Empire to the Ritz, so initially this was an Essoldo Bingo Club, before it became Ladbroke’s etc.