A SHOPKEEPER believes a derelict bingo hall in Bedminster is putting shoppers off visiting North Street.

Rob McCarthy, who runs gift and homeware shop All Things Nice, says the abandoned former Gala venue has become an eyesore.

The 24-year-old believes it should be tidied up if work on a planned redevelopment of the site is not due to start imminently.

The hall, which is close to the junction with Cannon Street, closed down several years ago.

Developer Urbis (North Street) Ltd was granted permission to knock down the hall and replace it with 17 family houses, nine apartments and space for shops and offices in December.

Mr McCarthy, who lives in Bedminster, said: "It's a bit of a state and it puts people off coming to the area.

"I spoke to someone from the developers Urbis and they said that there wouldn't be someone on site until April.

"It was moved in to last year by a couple of squatters and there were raves and things like that going on.

"Now it is completely empty and it's an absolute state. There are pigeon droppings on the pavement at the front and it's untidy."

Mr McCarthy, who opened his shop in July last year after initially starting off as an internet firm, said several new businesses had recently opened up at the Bedminster end of North Street.

He said: "The barber's shop has changed hands, there are a couple of new sandwich shops and cafes up the road and a new music venue.

"It (the condition of the bingo hall) detracts from the good work elsewhere. Even if it was knocked down it would look a lot better.

"Most of the traders just want to see something happening with it now. Even a lick of paint and a bit of cleaning would make a big difference. It's pretty run-down and the pavement outside is unhygienic."

He added: "Business in the shop is still fairly slow but part of the problem is letting people know we are here, and the same goes for a lot of the other traders around here.

"We are not getting a lot of passing trade."

Urbis' managing director Richard Clarke agreed with Mr McCarthy's opinion of the hall, branding the building an "absolute disgrace".

He said his company were keen to redevelop the site – starting by razing the hall to the ground – as quickly as possible to help regenerate the area.

Mr Clarke said work would begin once planning and legal issues had been cleared up with the city council and the site had been purchased by Urbis from owners Gala.

He said: "Our first actions will be to demolish the site and clear it up.

"We don't want that building there any longer than it has to be.

"We accept the desire of the traders to have a cleaner outlook.

"We want to start work so people can see what's coming – it will be a boost for the area.

"It's in everyone's interests to have a vibrant area around the site."

Mr Clarke said the redevelopment would take about 16 months, with work beginning in two to three months.

He added: "We have spoken to the Greater Bedminster Partnership and they know our intention to revitalise the area."