A 1930s cinema and bingo hall in Taunton, once a stage for acts including David Bowie, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones, is being added to a heritage at risk list after closing suddenly at the start of June.
The building, known as Mecca Bingo, is a listed cinema and one of 18 sites from the West Country being added to Save Britain’s Heritage At Risk Register, a national database that tracks neglected buildings. Amy Popham, a manager at Save Britain’s Heritage, said the South West has many historic buildings that face neglect and demolition. She said the goal of the register is to spotlight local landmarks, prompt fresh ideas for their future, and encourage reuse that supports wider community renewal.
In Taunton, a community campaign group has spent nine years working to buy the Mecca Bingo building and bring it back into use as a live venue.
Other sites being added include Tone Works in Wellington, a wet finishing and dye works dating to the 18th century that still contains machinery. The property has been derelict and deteriorating for about 25 years. The council bought it from what the BBC described as a neglectful owner and has completed some remediation with support from Historic England and others, although it remains far from productive use.
Also on the list is Boden’s Mill in Chard, a lace mill tied to a manufacturing history dating back to the 16th century. It has been empty for years, and despite regeneration plans for the wider area, the BBC reported that funding and momentum have stalled. Other at risk Somerset buildings mentioned include the former Lloyds Bank in Wellington.
For mason contractors and restoration crews, lists like this are a reminder that preserving historic places depends on steady maintenance, clear reuse plans, and owners ready to invest before deterioration accelerates.
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