Eyes Down, Bulldozers Up: Camden Bingo Hall and Cinema to Make Way for Student Hub

_{Mecca Bingo Campden set for bulldozers to move in. (Image: Bjanka Kadic/Alamy)}

The iconic Mecca bingo hall and Odeon cinema in Camden Town are set to be demolished, making way for a student housing and entertainment development locals hope will breathe new life into the area.

The green light came just before Christmas, when Camden Council granted planning approval for the “Camden Xchange” project. The scheme includes 244 student studio flats, 49 affordable homes, new commercial units and an entertainment venue still to be defined.

The Mecca bingo hall, located at the end of Inverness Market, shut its doors in 2024 after a long period of declining footfall. It will be joined by the Odeon cinema next month, with its final screening scheduled for 24 February. The cinema first opened in 1937 but missed out on Grade II-listing in the 1990s due to internal alterations.

Eyes Down for a New Era

Developers say demolition will start soon, describing the scheme as the "missing jigsaw piece" in Camden Town's regeneration. Chris Shaw, head of the Camden Vision group leading the redevelopment, is also a member of the business group Camden Town Unlimited.

“The unanimous approval from Camden Council based off high levels of local support marks an exciting moment for Camden Town Xchange and the future of this iconic site,” Shaw said. “We’re eager to continue this collaboration as we deliver this missing part of the Camden Town jigsaw and will keep the community updated throughout the journey.” 

The only question raised by councillors at the planning meeting was about the length of student housing tenancies. The plan passed unanimously with no formal objections.

Hopes and Fears From the High Street

Feedback from locals was mostly supportive, with business owners in the area cautiously optimistic about the new foot traffic a large student population could bring. Although some bingo halls are being seeing a resurgence online bingo sites are readily available for those who want to avoid the trek to the closest venue. 

Jake Travis, owner of Inverness Street record store Out On The Floor, said he welcomed the move.

“Anything would be better than what is there now. It is a very large space inside and should be used for something positive,” Travis said. “Having 250 student beds could be good for the traders here, but there is also the fear that a new development could impact on rents and rates. It has to be balanced.” 

Concerns raised focused mostly on the potential disruption from construction and the unknown nature of the entertainment venue, particularly if it involves a late-night licence. A brief interest from Secret Cinema in repurposing the bingo hall for interactive theatre never came to fruition.

Camden Gets Its House in Order

Philip Turner, executive director at architects AHMM, which designed the scheme, said the new buildings would complement Camden's diverse architecture.

“The site provides us with a rare opportunity for a pair of significant contemporary buildings to augment the established mix of distinct and characterful architecture in Camden Town centre,” Turner said.

Visuals of the planned development show modern structures with space carved out for retail and dining options. The fate of the future entertainment venue remains open-ended.

For now, the focus is on clearing the site and getting building work underway. The bulldozers are due imminently.