A former Gala Bingo club is being described by locals as an eyesore and detrimental to local businesses. The latest critic of the Bedminster based site is a local shop keeper who is campaigning for the empty bingo clu to be cleared up.

Rob McCarthy who runs All Things Nice, the gift and homeware shop, claims the abandoned bingo club is putting shoppers off and effecting local businesses.

The 24-year-old wants the site to be tidied up if planned redevelopment works are not due to start imminently. The club closed down several years ago and while developers Urbis (North Street) Ltd was granted permission to bulldoze the site and build 17 family houses, nine apartments, shops and offices no work has started.

"I spoke to someone from the developers Urbis and they said that there wouldn't be someone on site until April.

"It was moved in to last year by a couple of squatters and there were raves and things like that going on.

"Now it is completely empty and it's an absolute state. There are pigeon droppings on the pavement at the front and it's untidy."

Mr McCarthy, opened his shop in July last year claimed that there were several new businesses in the area: "The barber's shop has changed hands, there are a couple of new sandwich shops and cafes up the road and a new music venue.

"It (the condition of the bingo hall) detracts from the good work elsewhere. Even if it was knocked down it would look a lot better.

"Most of the traders just want to see something happening with it now. Even a lick of paint and a bit of cleaning would make a big difference. It's pretty run-down and the pavement outside is unhygienic.

"Business in the shop is still fairly slow but part of the problem is letting people know we are here, and the same goes for a lot of the other traders around here.

"We are not getting a lot of passing trade."

Managing director of Urbis, Richard Clarke agrees with the opinions claiming the building is an "absolute disgrace".

He claimed his company were eager to start the redevelopment work on the site, but said there were delays due to the legal and planning issues and the site purchase from Gala Bingo.

He added: "Our first actions will be to demolish the site and clear it up.

"We don't want that building there any longer than it has to be.

"We accept the desire of the traders to have a cleaner outlook.

"We want to start work so people can see what's coming – it will be a boost for the area.

"It's in everyone's interests to have a vibrant area around the site."

He suggested the work would take around 16 months and would begin in 2-3 months time.