Ashford Borough Council Submits Planning Application for Former Mecca Bingo Hall Conversion

Ashford Borough Council in Kent has submitted formal planning applications to convert the long-vacant former Mecca Bingo hall on Lower High Street into a multi-purpose venue that includes a flexible theatre, performance space, café and bar, gallery plus community facilities, and the total project carries an estimated cost of £7.5 million while the main auditorium will accommodate between 150 and 220 people in either seated or standing configurations.

The building itself dates back to 1936 when it opened as an Odeon cinema before later operating as a bingo hall, and the current proposal seeks to bring the structure back into active use after years of vacancy in order to support town centre revitalisation efforts, boost local footfall, and strengthen the creative economy across the area.

Site History and Pre-Application Work

Work on asbestos removal and initial strip-out phases has already taken place at the property, which means the site stands ready for further construction stages once the planning process advances, and observers note that this preparatory activity demonstrates the council's commitment to moving the scheme forward without unnecessary delays once approvals are secured.

Those who have reviewed the submitted documents explain that the project will retain key architectural features from the original 1936 cinema while adapting the interior for modern performance requirements, and this approach allows the venue to honour its heritage status while meeting contemporary standards for accessibility, acoustics and audience comfort.

Project Scope and Venue Capacity

The main auditorium forms the centrepiece of the development with flexible seating arrangements that can shift between 150 seated spectators and up to 220 standing guests depending on the event type, while additional spaces throughout the building will house a café and bar area, a gallery for exhibitions, and dedicated community rooms available for local groups and workshops.

Planning materials indicate that the café and bar will operate as an integral part of the venue rather than as a standalone operation, which creates opportunities for pre-show refreshments and post-event gatherings that encourage longer visitor stays in the town centre, and the gallery component will provide exhibition space for both local artists and touring displays.

Economic and Cultural Objectives

Council documentation states that the scheme aims to increase footfall in the Lower High Street area by creating a new cultural anchor that draws residents and visitors alike, and the project also intends to support the local creative economy through programming that includes theatre productions, live music, comedy nights, and community-led events throughout the year.

Figures from similar regional projects suggest that such venues can generate sustained economic activity by attracting audiences who then spend in nearby shops, restaurants and other businesses, while the presence of a dedicated performance space helps retain creative talent within the district rather than losing it to larger cities.

Planning Timeline and Next Steps

The application now enters the formal consultation and determination phase with Ashford Borough Council, and approval would unlock subsequent construction phases that build on the asbestos removal and strip-out work already completed, and the council has indicated that further phases will proceed in a staged manner once planning consent is granted.

Local authority records show that the project aligns with broader regeneration strategies for Ashford town centre, and the venue's location on Lower High Street positions it to serve as a focal point for both daytime community activity and evening cultural programming once operational.

Conclusion

The submitted plans represent a significant step toward repurposing a historic building that has stood empty for an extended period, and successful delivery would provide Ashford with a versatile cultural facility capable of hosting a wide range of performances and community activities while contributing to the economic vitality of the town centre. Further updates on the planning decision are expected as the application progresses through the required stages.