Historic Bingo Hall Listed As 'Asset Of Community Value'

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Protecting Tooting's beautiful Gala Bingo Hall

The council has agreed to give local residents an increased say in the future of an historic bingo hall in Tooting if any plans ever arise to sell it.

The town hall has agreed to designate the Gala Bingo Hall in Tooting as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), reflecting its contribution to the social fabric in that part of the borough.

Designating it as an ACV means that if the current owners wish to sell the building they must give the local community the chance to buy it. The listing gives local residents a six month window in which to raise sufficient funds to purchase it.

Although the owner does not have to sell to a community group, the ACV designation improves the chances of local grassroots organisations being able to raise the necessary funds by effectively triggering a six month moratorium on the sale.

The bingo hall began life as a cinema and its ornate and strikingly designed interior has earned it Grade I listed building status. Its listed building designation offers it enhanced protection against redevelopment but would not prevent the current owners from selling it to someone who wished to use the building for something else.


The building's stunning interior

There is nothing at present to suggest the existing owners have any plans to sell the building.

The ACV legislation is enshrined in the Localism Act 2011 and offers an enhanced level of protection to local buildings and amenities that are important to the local community and which benefit social well-being.