A BELOVED bingo hall has been sold to a group of Jewish families it has been revealed, as plans are drawn up to turn part of the building into a synagogue. 

Last month it was revealed that the Rio Bingo Hall on Canvey had been sold - sparking concerns from residents about the loss of bingo on the island. 

Now, it has been confirmed that it has been purchased by a collection of Jewish families living on the island. 

An unused part of the building is going to be converted into a synagogue, but the main bingo hall will be available to rent. 

Joel Friedman, a spokesman for the Jewish community on Canvey, said: “As far as I know, the current owner sold it as the business was struggling. But it was sold through a commercial agent, which is how a new owner was found.

“It wasn’t like we approached the bingo hall. The agent was going around looking for someone to buy it.

“Every community has different needs, and for the Jewish community to be viable, there needs to be a local synagogue.

“With Sabbath, you can’t use transportation, so for the elderly and children there needs to be one within walking distance otherwise it becomes a problem.

“From my understanding, the building has parts to it. The main part and the dance room at the back which is not use.

“The new owners are looking to make the synagogue at the back part of the building.

“Then the front area will remain available to rent for anyone interested in using it.”

The bingo hall on Canvey started out as a community cinema in the 1930s.

The last film was showed in 1976, before it was converted into a social club, which has been playing bingo ever since.

In 2021, plans for a synagogue to be built in the garden of a house on Furtherwick Road were refused by the council.

Mr Friedman added: “Plans were previously refused as the preference was for it to not be situated in a residential area.

“They wanted something more commercial, like this.”