Could retailers hit the jackpot by transforming abandoned bingo halls?
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While Britain’s high streets may have plenty of available retail space of virtually every size and kind, filling it effectively may still present some problems. Yes, there are vacated stores in prime locations thanks to the sad demise of some of the biggest names on the high street including Top Shop and Debenhams. But this has to be balanced against the declining number of shoppers who now tend to either make purchases online or treat retail outlets as places to do some initial research before buying online and saving money in the process.
Perhaps the answer might lie in creating retail spaces that disrupt the norm and, in doing so, spark off a different mindset and approach in shoppers. Ironically, it may be the inexorable rise of the internet that has acted as a catalyst and created an exciting new opportunity.
This is because the increasing popularity of online bingo has helped to hasten the decline of traditional bingo halls leaving many empty and ripe for redevelopment. One only has to look at the offering being made online to see why this form of bingo is so popular. It’s quick and convenient to play and there’s a wide range of different games to appeal to different people. Many sites also have a good selection of that other favourite pastime – slots games.
But one could argue that there may be no reason why a repurposed bingo hall shouldn’t be a more successful retail environment than an abandoned department store.
Many of the halls in our towns and cities were originally cinemas built in the 1920s and 30s – the medium’s first real golden age. Often in the Art Deco style, these are buildings of real architectural merit with imposing and impressive frontages. This could provide just the right level of what estate agents like to call “kerb appeal” to attract shoppers into the store.
Then there’s the space itself. As the word “hall” suggests, these are large, cavernous areas perfectly suited to either housing imposing retail displays or being laid out as an emporium-style space. Alternatively, they could be used as part retail floorspace combined with an extensive area of warehouse and storage space so stock levels could always be high, giving the immediacy of purchase that even the most efficient online retailer can’t match.
In terms of what kinds of retailers could take advantage of a bingo hall location, there are a few options. Naturally, furniture and homewares stores are a natural choice as the space would allow room sets to be created in the style achieved so successfully by Ikea. The storage space would also make it ideal for the sale of white goods giving customers the option to drive home with a new washer or fridge. There has also already been a move to convert one existing hall into a supermarket in Bristol.
So this certainly should give some retailers a little food for thought – not to mention giving a whole new lease of life to some great buildings that might otherwise be left to slowly crumble.
