Neighbours suggest everything from ice-rink to aerospace exhibition for derelict bingo hall after sneak peek inside (From Surrey Comet)

Neighbours suggest ice-rink for derelict Gala bingo hall in Kingston after sneak peek inside

3:10pm Friday 8th March 2013 in Top stories By Jon Sharman, Reporter

An ice rink, moveable walls, and a climbing wall are among the more outlandish suggestions from Kingston residents for uses of the derelict Gala bingo hall.

They were handed to developers CNM Estates during a workshop at Tiffin School last night designed to gather views from residents on the building’s future.

Before the meeting residents were given the chance to look around the hall, clad in hard hats and high-visibility vests.

Those attending split into teams to fill in a plan of the hall with their ideas and to respond to the developer’s initial plans.

The hall, now a dusty shell, will become a multi-use building, CNM Estates said. Their plans include apartments and offices.

Nightclub or licensed venue plans were dropped last year after opposition from police, councillors and neighbours.

One group suggested installing a Michelin-starred restaurant – and a fellow resident piped up: "one star or two?"

The idea of a rotating exhibition space including a slot for Kingston's aerospace heritage was also mentioned several times.

Wahid Samady, CNM Estates chairman, told residents the hall was a “central part of Kingston”.

He said: “I genuinely believe that this building has overall value to the community.

"The moment is now for us to move this forward."

David Reed, of Canbury Park Road, said of the developer's plans: "I think it’s a pretty decent stab at it, really."

What do you think the hall should be used for?