A bingo club that was destroyed in a suspected arson attack in July is due to re-open this week after a £750,000 refurbishment.

The Pavilion Bingo in Toxteth closed its doors after burgulars broke in stealing thousands and setting fire to the club. Gary Armstong the owner is looking forward to welcoming customers back into the club tomorrow and hopes that 2012 will be a better year than 2011.

The Pavilion theatre was originally built in 1908, hosting acts such as The Beatles and George Formby, before being converted to a bingo club in 1961. Many of the original features of the building were destroyed in a previous fire in 1986. Mr Armstrong who has been in the industry for 30 years and took over the bingo club known as the “Pivvy” by locals in 1993, told local media: “I’ve dealt with break-ins before but nothing like this. It was a nightmare.

“The place was completely destroyed.

“It was heartbreaking to go in and see such devastation.

“We think after they robbed the place the burglars then set fire to it to cover their tracks.”

Those responsible broke into the club on the 29th July through the entrance doors to target the fruit machines in the adjoining lobby. While they tried to gain access to the safe this was unsuccessful. It is believe that they set fire to the club on their way out, which saw fire crews spending hours tackling the blaze.

Mr Armstrong added: “It still feels surreal, when it happened it was a massive shock – my livelihood and my staff’s just gone.

“We’ve been putting on coaches to transport members to our other bingo hall, the Carlton, in Orrell Park.

“I think they will all be glad to be back at the Pivvy. We’re like a little family, we know all our customers by name.

It has not been an easy time for the owner who did question whether to continue: “I did want to just give up, I didn’t want to have to rebuild, but now I’m very glad we did.

“People depend on us, we are only one of two independent family bingo halls left in Liverpool, and we just couldn’t walk away.

My father started out in the bingo business in the 60s and my brother Mark and I have carried on the tradition.

“The refurbishment has taken longer then expected, sorting out the insurance and everything else.

“It’s been a long slog but we’ve got there. We’ve installed new carpets, ceilings, walls, toilets – the whole place has been done out.”

No one has been charged with the crime yet, however reports suggest the Merseyside Police are still investigating.

The club is reportedly opening on Friday 30th December and will be resuming normal opening hours next week. Bingo players are advised to contact the club.