Beacon Bingo Ilkeston

Beacon Bingo Ilkeston stands as a noteworthy bingo hall that brought excitement to countless players through its entertaining mix of paper and electronic bingo sessions. The converted cinema building created an inviting social space where you could enjoy tasty jacket potatoes, burgers, and scampi and chips while playing your favourite numbers.

The site offered more than just bingo, with a welcoming bar serving popular cocktails like Sex On The Beach, Purple Rain, and Paradise. Until its closure in 2018, this beloved bingo hall provided countless memorable moments and fantastic prizes for its loyal players.

Read on to discover more about the legacy of this cherished bingo destination and what made it so special to its community.

Club Details

Beacon Bingo Ilkeston was a popular venue for bingo enthusiasts, set in the heart of Ilkeston within a historic cinema building. Although the club permanently closed, it remains memorable for its offerings, including bingo, food, and accessible facilities.

Despite its closure, the club holds nostalgic value, boasting a warm and friendly environment that offered a variety of leisure activities.

Opening Times

Beacon Bingo Ilkeston operated on a daily schedule with slightly varied opening hours based on the day. On Monday, the club opened at 12 pm, from Tuesday to Saturday it welcomed visitors starting at 10 am, and on Sundays, it opened later at 5 pm. The closing hour remained the same every day, at 10 pm.

Below is a table summarising the opening hours:

These schedules offer flexibility for visitors. However, as Beacon Bingo Ilkeston is permanently closed, these times are now preserved for historical reference only.

Session Times

Beacon Bingo Ilkeston scheduled afternoon and evening sessions, with no morning games available. Afternoon sessions commenced at 1:25 pm from Monday to Saturday, while evening games started at 7:30 pm daily.

The following table summarises session times for all seven days of the week:

Beacon Bingo Ilkeston provided a consistent schedule for afternoon and evening play throughout the week, ensuring accessible times for visitors.

Pricing Information

Beacon Bingo Ilkeston offers straightforward pricing for paper and electronic bingo. The site’s weekday afternoon paper sessions cost £5, while Saturday sessions are priced at £15.

Evening bingo at Beacon Bingo Ilkeston starts free on Mondays, with regular weekday sessions at £10 and weekend sessions at £20. The Cashpot games run free at 12 pm Monday through Saturday, plus extra free games during weekday afternoons.

Your electronic bingo options include 24 ticket packages starting at £10, while larger 120 ticket bundles begin at £30. You’ll find Beacon Bingo Ilkeston maintains competitive rates across their paper and electronic bingo selections to suit your playing style and budget.

History Of Beacon Bingo Ilkeston

Beacon Bingo Ilkeston operated from a repurposed old cinema building on South Street in Ilkeston, offering an inviting space for social and recreational activities. The establishment provided a friendly environment with free parking and excellent public transport accessibility, enhancing its convenience for visitors.

The club’s focus was on making people feel welcomed, especially new players, by providing assistance and guidance on how to play different games. Its sessions and promotions attracted various visitors seeking entertainment in Derbyshire, making it a hub for social interactions until its closure in July 2018 due to operational decisions.

Available Games

Traditional paper bingo and electronic bingo were the key highlights at Beacon Bingo Ilkeston, appealing to various player preferences. Afternoon sessions commenced at 1:25 PM, Monday to Saturday, along with evening play starting at 7:30 PM every day, ensuring flexible options for visitors.

In addition to bingo, the venue featured slot machines offering instant jackpot prizes and provided free bingo sessions on some weekdays. Ticket packages ranged from £10 for 24 tickets to larger bundles priced at £30, catering to different spending preferences.

Food & Beverages

The café at Beacon Bingo Ilkeston served diverse dishes, including jacket potatoes, burgers, and scampi with chips, which became a part of its charm. A bar accompanied the food options by offering creative cocktails like Sex On The Beach, Paradise, and Purple Rain for just £5 each, adding a refreshing touch to the venue’s appeal.

The combination of quality meals and iconic drinks enriched the atmosphere, making it more than just a bingo hall but also a spot for casual dining and relaxation.

How Do You Get to Beacon Bingo Ilkeston?

Accessing the closed Beacon Bingo Ilkeston is no longer possible as it permanently shut down in 2018. Below is historical guidance for arriving at the former location:

By Car

• Car: Use 15-19 South Street, Ilkeston, DE7 5QT, as your destination.
• Car: On-site parking was free for all visitors to the venue.

By Bus

• Bus: Market Place served as the nearest bus stop, approximately a two-minute walk away.
• Bus: Most main routes passing through Ilkeston connected to this stop conveniently.

By Train

• Train: Ilkeston Railway Station provided rail access, around three miles from the venue.
• Train: Local bus services from the station could have been used to reach South Street.

On Foot/Taxis

• On Foot: Being centrally located, walking was feasible for residents in the area.
• Taxi: Taxi services were an alternative way to reach the bingo hall door-to-door.

Since the site has ceased operations, exploring alternative leisure destinations nearby is your best option.

What Is the Best Time To Visit Beacon Bingo Ilkeston To Avoid Crowds?

Beacon Bingo Ilkeston follows similar crowd patterns to other bingo sites in the UK, with weekdays offering more relaxed playing opportunities. Weekday sessions from Tuesday to Thursday provide the ideal times to play, matching the trends seen at other Beacon Bingo locations like Margate and Loughborough.

Weekend sessions typically draw larger groups of players, particularly from Friday through Sunday when more people have free time. You’ll find the main hall becomes notably busier during these peak periods, as both local players and visitors from surrounding areas come to join the activities.

What Other Bingo Halls Are Near Beacon Bingo Ilkeston?

Several bingo halls operate near Ilkeston, offering alternative places to play bingo. The East Midlands region maintains multiple established bingo locations where you can enjoy traditional bingo.

Here are the nearby bingo halls:

• Mecca Bingo Derby: Located in the heart of Derby, this site provides traditional paper and electronic bingo games
• Long Eaton Bingo Hall: Situated in Long Eaton, this independent hall offers classic bingo sessions
• Nottingham Bingo Club: Based in Nottingham, this local hall features modern bingo facilities and regular events

These bingo halls represent the main alternatives near Ilkeston, each offering different atmospheres and playing styles. You’ll find various bingo options across the East Midlands region to suit your preferences.

Remember to verify current opening status before visiting any bingo hall, as operational details can change. Each location provides its own unique take on traditional bingo rules and formats.

What Other Activities Are Available Nearby?

Beacon Bingo Ilkeston sits near multiple leisure spots. You can find various activities to enjoy before or after your bingo plays.

Here are the main activities available nearby:

• Ilkeston Town Football Club: Watch live football matches and sports events at this local sports ground
• Victoria Park: Walk, jog, or relax in this spacious park featuring children’s playgrounds and recreational spaces
• Erewash Museum: Explore local heritage through fascinating exhibits showcasing Ilkeston’s industrial past and community history

Victoria Park provides peaceful outdoor spaces where you can unwind in nature. The Erewash Museum showcases compelling exhibits about the area’s rich history and local traditions.

The Ilkeston Town Football Club connects sports fans with live matches and community events. These nearby spots create perfect opportunities for family outings or solo adventures around Ilkeston.

Conclusion

Beacon Bingo Ilkeston served as a beloved social hub in Derbyshire, offering paper and electronic bingo alongside tasty food and drinks until 2018. The converted cinema building created lasting memories for countless players who enjoyed its welcoming atmosphere, free parking, and convenient location.

While the South Street site has closed, its legacy lives on through the community it built and the countless winning moments it created. You can still find excellent bingo options at nearby sites like Mecca Bingo Derby and Long Eaton Bingo Hall, which continue serving the East Midlands bingo community.