The old Mecca in Arlington Road

FILM fans who dress up as much-loved characters and belt out lines from favourite scenes could soon be descending on a bingo hall in Camden Town.

As the New Journal revealed last year, the Mecca bingo hall in Arlington Road is set to close after 60 years, leaving a close-knit community of players bereft. A new planning application to change its use into an immersive cinema experience has been lodged at the Town Hall.

The Secret Group Limited – behind a production called Secret Cinema, which converts empty buildings into sets to screen films – says the bingo hall is perfect for its needs, as Camden Town has become a destination for immersive events.

The company cites the now-closed Tomb Raider Live in the Stables Market, and a similar experience based on the TV series Peaky Blinders. Its application said: “In recent years, Camden has become home to a number of immersive theatrical events, and it is hoped that we can build on this success, and make Camden a destination for immersive theatre.”

The New Journal reported in September how bingo players had been left in shock after the closure was announced.

Sylvia Beaton, who was a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent in 2007 with the Zimmers band, spoke about how the bingo hall for many elderly players is the only place they would go to socialise.

The bingo bar would be converted into a diner with an entrance in Inverness Street that, according to the application from SGL, will help to reduce crime in the area.

It added: “The proposed development will revitalise and drive audiences to the site, and therefore the surrounding areas. The proposed shows have their own followings, so it is envisaged that the site will become a destination in its own right, helping bring new people into the area.” Residents have responding to the application saying the new venture must be held to strict guidelines to make sure it does not add to already-congested streets.

Colin Jacobson, who lives in Parkway, said: “My concerns are the possibility of increased congestion and disruption from the loading of equipment and scenery. Arlington Road is one of the few relatively calm roads in the general overcrowding and social intensity of Camden Town. The building as a bingo hall does not cause very much noise break-out either from within nor when customers leave.”

Kathryn Gemmell, chair of Tenants Residents Associations, Camden Town, added: “Should this immersive cinema fail as a business we would want to have conditions in place that prevent the use of the premises as a night-club or other late-night music and drink led venue.”