REDEVELOPMENT work saw the fall of one bingo hall and the rise of another as this traditional form of entertainment entered a new era in Barrow.

Work at the Hollywood Park construction site in 1998 and 1999 saw the creation of the Top Ten Bingo Club while demolition contractors pulled down the Cascades bingo hall which had started life as the Palace cinema on Duke Street. This site became a Wilko store.

Part of the old building came down rather quicker than expected when a wall collapsed.

The Mail, on Friday, March 17 in 2000, noted: “Amazingly, no-one was injured in the accident involving a 30ft wall at the demolition site.

“The wall crashed to the ground, smashing a shelter and spilling rubble across pavements and the main road at about 7.30am.

“Dozens of people walking and driving to work through the town centre stopped and looked in shock.”

The original Palace shut down in 1930 for a major reconstruction as a modern, luxury cinema and its large  auditorium survived until 1963 - then becoming a bingo hall.

Barrow’s new Top Ten Bingo Club celebrated its opening at Hollywood Park in June 1999 and among early events was a visit by Steve Linder, holder of the title of Bingo Caller of the Year 1999.

There were also some big wins, including almost £50,000 for Kieran Hall, 47, of Ormsgill, Barrow, in May 2000.

He won the national prize of £47,500, the regional prize of £2,368 and the club prize of £54.

It would have been £95,000 but he had to share the jackpot with another winner in South Shields.

The Mail, on Tuesday, April 17 in 2001, took a look behind the scenes at the Hollywood Park bingo hall which had spread its appeal to a younger audience.

It noted: “The state-of-the art hall was crammed to the rafters with nearly 500 people. Acting manager Kelly Shepherd, 24, explained bingo lovers are flocking to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, a chat and a flutter. Her club has a membership of 12,000 and is gaining between 50 and 100 new members a week. Kelly explained about 20 per cent of those are under 30.”