Bristol’s Old Gala Bingo Hall Goes Green

The city of Bristol in the south-west of England is well-known for being a UK leader in environmental and green initiatives. Now, one of the city’s upcoming areas is attracting attention for its proposed redevelopment of a derelict Gala Bingo hall. Bedminster is situated south of the River Avon, and has already received backing from TV presenter and High Street Saviour, Mary Portas. It’s quickly becoming one of the most fashionable districts of Bristol to live in thanks to the recent arrival of some trendy new shops, cafes, wine bars, and restaurants. The latest changes to be rung in the up-and-coming community, however, include the redevelopment of a former Gala Bingo club into a green housing scheme.

The club, which has long been abandoned, is situated on the main road of Bedminster, known as North Street, and it’s the latest property to be added to an ongoing list of ambitious developments in the south of Bristol.

Urbis Development is the local property specialist who will be transforming the former premises into a new green community. Previously, they turned a neglected factory building (the Robinson Building) in nearby East Street into a popular development containing more than 100 apartments.

The project is being funded by the Bridges Sustainable Property Fund, and both Bridges and Urbis Development will be working closely together to create one of the most sustainable developments in Bristol.

The old Gala Bingo hall is due to be demolished in late July 2013, and the site should be ready for building work to commence by the start of September 2013. A total of twenty-six sustainable flats will be built on the site as part of green development, which will use low-energy Passivhaus standards. These principles are low-energy standards created in Germany, which help to ensure that the new homes will be so well-insulated that they will need minimal energy for cooling and heating. Origin 3 Studio are the Bristol architects who have designed the development, and it said that it will be so efficient that heating will hardly ever be needed, even in the winter months.

The secretary of the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership (which is made of local businesses, residents, and members of Bristol City Council), Ben Barker, says that it’s high time the derelict bingo hall made way for new homes and retail space. He added that the development will bring money into the community while the building works are carried out, and hopefully “bring in lots of new residents too.”

www.galabingo.com