Eyes down as Plaza plans bingo return

Bingo sessions could return to a landmark hall in the Black Country following floods of requests from customers desperate to see its doors open again.

The Old Hill Plaza in Cradley Heath, which hosted The Beatles back in the 1960s, has been closed since the death of well-known owner Mary "Ma" Regan in March last year.

Relatives of the 94-year-old put the High Street venue up for auction after initially failing to find a buyer, leaving its future in doubt.

Dr Anita Morgan, Mrs Regan's granddaughter, said the family had always wanted to sell the building on as a leisure venue.

And its new owners have revealed they have been inundated with requests to reopen its doors and bring back bingo sessions.

Jay Dubb, speaking on behalf of the owners, said the option of the site returning to its roots was being considered and that people were now being asked to write in with suggestions about its future.

The venue, in Halesowen Road, was sold to the family, who are from Oldbury.

Mr Dubb said: "We are still considering our options at the moment but one thing we are thinking about is reopening it as a bingo hall.

"We have been asked by local residents to do that, so it is obviously a popular choice. What we would really like is for people to write to us at the Plaza with their thoughts and what they would want to see."

In its 1960s heyday, the site hosted top stars including Charlie Chaplin, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Animals, Dusty Springfield, Brenda Lee, The Searchers, The Tremeloes, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Manfred Mann, The Moody Blues, Jerry Lee Lewis and Del Shannon.

It later turned into a bingo hall but, under a condition of her will, closed when Mary Regan died.

Mr Dubb added: "We know how important the venue is to Old Hill."