The Mecca Bingo club in Taunton has become the centre of attention as campaigners want to turn it back to a theatre. With bingo clubs closing regularly at the moment the news might sound quite familar. That is until you find out that this club is not up for sale, is attracting 2,000 people and makes a profit.

However, plans have been put forward to the local council to turn the current Mecca hall into a venue which would "attract top stars such as Madonna".

Project Gaumont, campaigner Jim Laflin, said he has had interest from the National Ballet and that Lloyd Webber's musicals could perform there.

"We believe this building is grossly underused," said Jim.

The listed building, which was opened as the Gaumont Palace Theatre in 1932, is currently used for bingo.

Project Gaumont believe that the old Gaumont building, which currently houses Mecca Bingo in Corporation Street, is large enough to house a number of attractions in addition to the existing bingo club. These could include:

• A Tier 1 theatre which could offer opera, ballet, and musicals to full West End standards,
• A youth club with full recording facilities,
• A grand ballroom,
• A small casino, and
• An Arts and Crafts gallery.

The project also envisages that the present Castle Public Car Park could be re-laid to accommodate a covered outside arena with a variety of uses. These could include:

• Popular productions including X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Strictly Come dancing,
• Appearances by major international stars including Madonna, Barry Manilow, Susan Boyle, Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Katherine Jenkins and Bon Jovi,
• Major performances from companies such as Glyndebourne Opera, English National Ballet, Cirque de Soleil,
• A covered area for town markets,
• Continued use as a car park when not otherwise used, and could include, a feature fountain, gardens, a picnic area, rest areas, and a busking area.

A spokesperson for Mecca said they had "no plans to go anywhere" and that they currently make a profit, attracting 2,000 customers per week.

Jim believes they can all work together with the bingo being held in the grand building above the main entrance. This would then free up the auditorium, which has a 1,750 capacity, to "restore it to a tier one theatre".

"They might say they have no plans to move out and I'm quite sure as of today they don't, but why would a business turn down the possibility of saving £100,000 per annum when really there is no disadvantage to them whatever," he added.

The group proposes a £15million investment by Rank to turn the building into an arts and entertainment centre with a 1,500-seat theatre, bingo hall, youth club, roof restaurant, art gallery, bars, cafes, a small casino, and a covered arena on Castle Green capable of hosting concerts.

Mecca Bingo says the proposals are needless and are upsetting members

The plans look unlikely to get the backing of building owners Rank.

Mecca General Manager, Mrs Borska-Ulatowska said: “We are not closing – we have been here 29 years and there are no plans for us to go anywhere. Customers have seen the articles about Project Gaumont’s plans and they are worried so we would like to reassure people,” she said.

“We don’t need these plans – we are trading well.

“Project Gaumont’s plans seem to demean bingo as a waste of the building but they should talk to some of our customers to see how important it is to them.

“People come from all over the area - and some come two or three times a week. We are not just a bingo hall – we are a social place for people to meet with friends.”

The bingo hall has seats for 1,170 players and regularly attracts more than 500 people for the Sunday evening session.

“There is no other space in the building that could accommodate bingo for this many people,” added Mrs Borska-Ulatowska.

“The plans sound lovely and it’s great to see people who want to make Taunton more cultural – but not in this building.”

While the plans of Project Gaumont may seem like a good idea it would be interesting to see whether they have considered the compatibility of such businesses. Clearly having a bingo club on an industrial estate with retail units or part of a shopping centre works as the peak periods are different and therefore compatible. While cost savings happen to be at the top of nearly all bingo companies at the moment, as suggested by the club manager, Mecca may not be as supportive of such plans as Jim has suggested.

A spokesman said it would be inappropriate for Taunton Deane Borough Council to comment on the merits or viability of Project Gaumont ahead of the public meeting but was "aware of the architectural and cultural heritage of this important Listed building locally, regionally and nationally and would wish to see it preserved for future generations".

But Jim feels positive that he will get the council's support.

"There's no risk or cost to Taunton Deane. There is no reason on earth why they should not include this building as part of the town centre's redevelopment plan."

Current plans

Taunton Deane council’s current policy for the future of theatres in Taunton is to upgrade or replace the Brewhouse. They have not however considered the £500,000 per annum which is the typical cost of subsidising a new 600 seat theatre,  and it is not clear where the estimated £25 million cost of such a project could be found.

The council  have no policy at present for the Mecca Bingo building either as a bingo club or as a permanent centre for arts and entertainment including bingo.  They are relying on what Project Gaumont believe to be a seriously flawed consultant’s report, and it is highly unlikely that funding for the Gaumont project will be available from the council despite the fact that the cost would probably be less than half of the Brewhouse replacement cost, and that the Gaumont could mount productions to full West End standards.