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Plans for new bingo hall approved unanimously
A new bingo hall in south Bristol has been granted planning permission after players praised a popular club’s community spirit.
Club 3000 can now build a replacement bingo hall on Hartcliffe Way just south of Bedminster, and the decision was welcomed by the MP for Bristol South.
In late 2025 the bingo hall at Broadwalk Shopping Centre closed down leaving its members “devastated”, as the building was due for redevelopment. Bristol City Council has now permitted a replacement hall on an empty plot of land that used to be home to Vanbase, a van dealership.
is needed now More than ever
The former Broadwalk Shopping Centre site in Knowle is set to be replaced by a van dealership – photo: Martin Booth
The application was unanimously approved by councillors on the planning committee A on Wednesday. The committee first heard from the club and its members who said the new hall would mean they can “get back together again with our friends” after the Knowle hall closed.
Patrick Brignall from Club 3000 said: “When our hugely popular Broadwalk bingo club was forced to close, our members were devastated.
“For many, bingo was their main social outlet. But most of Bristol’s bingo clubs have now closed. Ours was the only one left in South Bristol.”
The vast majority of the club’s members live in South Bristol.
After months of searching Club 3000 bought the site on Hartcliffe Way, which is walking distance for many members and is served by bus routes and only half a mile from Parson Street train station. Several club members urged councillors to approve the plans, highlighting the importance of playing bingo.
Hilda Langford, a bingo player, said: “Going to the bingo is a really important part of my life. It’s where I see my friends.
“Since I’ve lived alone, going to Club 3000 has become even more important to me. I just want the new club to open as soon as possible, so we can all get back together again with our friends.”
Carol McCall, another bingo player, added: “Club 3000 is more than bingo, it’s a community of friends and a place where everyone can go.
“When I moved to Bristol, three days later my husband died. If it wasn’t for Club 3000, I don’t know where I would be today. I’m fine now and this isn’t a sob story. I’m sharing it so you can see how important this is.”
The 3,000 sq m bingo hall will have capacity for 1,200 customers and 144 car parking spaces. Council planning officers recommended the committee refuse permission, because of concerns about losing the site for potential housing, the isolated location, and parking overspill causing road safety problems. Gambling was also a concern, as there will be slot machines.
The new bingo hall will be built on an empty brownfield site – photo: Conversation PR
Green councillor Toby Wells said: “Thank you to the public gallery, it’s great to see we’ve got a full house. I have really fond memories of going to the bingo an awful lot as a child and as a teenager with family members.
“I’m the councillor for Knowle, where Club 3000 used to be located, and I can confirm it was a really well managed premises.”
Earlier this week Karin Smyth, the Labour MP for South Bristol, intervened and urged the committee to approve the plans, despite planning officers recommending refusal.
After the meeting, she welcomed the decision and said bingo halls are an important place for socialising.
She said: “I am glad to see that councillors have unanimously endorsed a plan that will keep bingo in South Bristol.
As I have said, venues like these are valued by the local community as spaces to relax, have fun and socialise across generations. I look forward to seeing further progress with these plans.”
The new bingo hall is due to open in autumn 2027. The company thanked local councillors for their support and the club members who championed the application in City Hall.
Brian Fraser, founder of Club 3000 Bingo, said: “We are so relieved and excited that our planning application was approved at last night’s planning committee. We really appreciate the councillors who sit on the committee who unanimously voted to support our proposal.
“We’d also like to thank our local councillors, Rob and Lisa for their unswerving support.
“But I have to say we were blown away by the number of our club members who took the time to go to Bristol City Hall as our champions, especially those who spoke in support of our planning application.
“The council chambers was, to pardon the pun, a full house. It was clear that their support was something the committee members really listened to.
“This is wonderful news for Club 3000 Bingo — and all of our thousands of members. We will now get all the paperwork done and get ready to start building our new, amazing, Club 3000 Bingo Bristol which we hope to open in autumn 2027.”
Main photo: Club 3000
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