Bingo Hall Plans for 'Ham Ram' Site Withdrawn
Future of historic King Street pub location remains uncertain
The Hammersmith Ram before closure
November 4, 2026
Plans to turn a former Hammersmith pub into a bingo hall have been withdrawn just weeks after the transformation of the historic site was proposed.
Real estate company LCE Property had applied for a change of use for the Hammersmith Ram, on King Street, writing a bingo hall would “attract patrons of all ages and should be seen as a community orientated venue”. It’s a tactic often used by gambling firms to apply for a bingo hall then turn it into a slot venue, though the freeholder said that wasn’t going to happen in this case.
Mohan Sidhu, a Director at LCE Property, previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the proposal would maintain the look and feel of the premises, though acknowledged it will become “more of a leisure thing”.
The LDRS understands the application has however been withdrawn, meaning the site’s future is once again uncertain.
LCE Property’s submission was just the latest twist in what has been a whirlwind of events for the historic former pub.
The Ham Ram, as it was affectionately known, was shut as a pub in July when Young & Co.’s Brewery sold it to Hammersmith Realty Ltd, an arm of the Ealing-based property company Arora Family.
Within weeks though it had reopened under the name ‘Discount Store’ without the necessary planning permission. This led to consternation among some local residents and councillors, with Hammersmith and Fulham Council writing to Arora Family on the issue.
A spokesperson for Arora Family said it had taken on a temporary occupier due to issues such as squatters moving into the building. They added the long-term plan was for it to be run as a pub.
In early September however LCE Property filed its proposal with the local authority proposing to reimagine the premises as a bingo hall, appearing to contradict the previous statement by Arora Family.
Mr Sidhu said the plan was for the premises to be similar to a Buzz Bingo, and that a social element will be key to its operations. He added he intended to apply for an alcohol licence if the application was successful.
Documents submitted as part of the proposal stated: “Beyond the gambling aspect, these venues act as vital social hubs that encourage local interaction, build relationships, and help reduce loneliness for participants. It reuses commercial floor space, causes no unacceptable amenity impacts and enhances vitality and viability in our ever declining high streets.”
Following LCE Property’s application the discount store announced it would be vacating the premises, with its last day being October 15.
An Arora Family spokesperson confirmed Retail 11, the company running the store, was given notice following the planning and agreement issues which arose as a result of it being used as a shop rather than a pub.
They added they had notified the council and would also flag the case to the police.
“We hope the building remains secure while the planning process and its longer-term future are determined,” they had said.
The LDRS understands LCE Property has since withdrawn its proposal, meaning the building now faces an even longer period of time unoccupied.
Arora Family and Mr Sidhu were both approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
Hammersmith Broadway councillors Molly Mantle and Callum Nimmo said in a statement: “This is a win for Hammersmith, and it belongs to everyone who signed our petition and objected to the proposal to turn it into a bingo hall.
“We, alongside over 600 local people who signed our petition, were clear that a bingo hall was not the right future for the Hammersmith Ram, and that pressure has made the difference. We want to thank every single person who backed the campaign.
“King Street is changing for the better. The new Civic Campus is making Hammersmith a destination place, with Unity Square, new homes, and Gail’s recently opening. More people are coming to King Street to eat, shop and spend time – which is exactly why the Hammersmith Ram deserves an operator who will make the most of it. We’re hopeful the owners will find one, and we’ll keep working to make that happen.”
Ben Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter
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