Josep Perelló, the 87-year-old businessman who bought the Bingo Balear building near Palma's Olivar Market at the start of December, says he has received numerous calls from individuals and companies interested in the project.
"There is a great deal of anticipation. I have been contacted by many interested parties looking to manage this venue, which is truly a gift to Mallorca, because it will remain in the hands of Mallorcans and will be a project for Mallorcans." Perelló is determined to restore the original splendour of the Bingo Balear, which started life in 1909 as a theatre.
"We’ve had visits from several companies, and they have been amazed by the excellent condition of the building." It was renovated in preparation to become a casino, permission for which was ultimately denied.
Perelló has spoken of the possibility of the building becoming a café-theatre. Miky Jaume, the manager of Grup Trui, known among other things for its theatre in Palma and for the staging of major music events, rules out investing in the venue but acknowledges that "there are no places like this in Palma where this type of activity can take place".
"The Teatre Sans remains, but the Botiga des Buffons and Lisboa, which used to host live music concerts, are gone now, having been converted into cocktail bars for foreign customers."