Europe’s biggest bingo hall gets makeover

Beacon Bingo Hall, Cricklewood.

The largest bingo hall in Europe is to get a makeover, following the British government’s tax reduction.

Cricklewood Beacon Bingo in London has recently decided to take advantage of the British government’s tax reduction, by spending £500,000 on the first phase of their refurbishment.

The investment comes from Praesepe, who were prompted by the government’s recent decision to cut the rate of gross profits tax on bingo to 10 per cent.

The bingo hall holds 2,200, and the refurbishment programme includes the installation of 1,254 new positions for mechanised cash bingo, new table surfaces and cash boxes.

“This is an unequivocal and ringing endorsement of Chancellor George Osborne’s decision to deliver the bingo industry its biggest prize for decades,” said Nick Harding, CEO of Praesepe. “As soon as the reduction in bingo GPT was confirmed we were able to push the button on what is only stage one of a long-term programme which will allow us to continually fine-tune our offer at the club.

“The initial programme has provided important business for our suppliers and their staff, it has helped us to improve the offering to our customers, which, in turn, will enhance our trading position and lead to further employment prospects in an area which suffers from unemployment levels which are above the London average.”