Bingo makes a return to Leominster

Roger Witnall is bringing bingo back to Leominster.

Bingo is making a return to Leominster, reports the Ludlow and Tenberry Wells Advertiser.

Roger Witnall, who runs a community bingo club The Ritz in Belper, Derbyshire, is re-opening a former bingo hall as a Clifton Bingo as of next week.

The hall, which closed as a Top Ten Bingo in May, was a source of entertainment for the town for four decades since 1936, and was once a cinema.

Membership applications for the new Clifton community bingo club opens on Friday and Mr Witnall is hoping that it will open for business from Monday.

“Our main aim was to get the club back open before the customers evaporate away. We’ll get it open and then work on putting our own stamp on it over time,” said Mr Witnall, who has been involved in the bingo industry for 40 years.

“I was involved in the centre around ten years ago and used to do the machine maintenance. When I heard it was closing down I saw an opportunity to have another community club.”

Speaking of the venue’s new name of Clifton Bingo, Mr Witnall said: “I’m a traditionalist and love old buildings. The landlords – Kingsland-based Powell and Co Construction – have been absolutely superb and have been very accommodating. We are very thankful for their help and support.”