Mecca Bingo in South Shields will close its doors on September 14.
Bosses of the Mecca Bingo hall in South Shields have announced that it is to be closed down, after they decided to not renew its lease, reports the Shields Gazette.
The hall will close on September 14, which has left bingo fans “devastated”.
Staff at the hall were told on Wednesday morning, and the news was then relayed to customers, leaving many regulars in shock.
Bosses of the bingo hall have said that they are in consultation with staff affected and are trying to find them alternative employment. Some have been working at the venue for almost 40 years.
In total, there are 31 full-time and part-time staff at the venue.
Speaking to the Shields Gazette, one staff member, who did not want to be on record, said: “The staff were told on Wednesday morning by the management that the bingo hall will cease trading on September 14.
“We’ve been told they are looking at relocating us to other premises in Gateshead or Sunderland but I don’t think people will travel.
“People will probably end up taking redundancy.
“Obviously we are all devastated, there are some staff who have been here for nearly 40 years – they worked here when it was the old Regent bingo.”
Nicole Mullen, a 19 year old bingo player said that she was shocked at discovering her beloved hall is to close.
“My mam used to come here and really enjoyed it,” she said.
“When she had cancer she still used to visit the bingo as it was her way of escaping what was going on.
“When I was 18, I was given my membership and I have been ever since. The staff are so friendly, everyone knows everyone here. The staff are always asking about my family.
“I’m devastated it’s closing.”
One pensioner, who travels from Jarrow to attend the hall to play bingo, said: “We were told last night about the place closing. I’ve been coming here for years, before it was even the Mecca bingo. Where are we supposed to go now? Everything seems to be shutting down – soon there will be no places for people to go.”
Another player said: “I’m just devastated at the news. I’ve been coming here for years, it’s a lovely place and not too far away from my home. The staff are absolutely gutted. They really are fantastic staff, so friendly.
“It’s the only place I can come to, have a game of bingo and feel welcome.
“People travel from all over South Tyneside to come here – it’s just so sad.”
A spokeswoman for the Rank Group, which owns Mecca Bingo, said: “We can confirm that the lease on the premises operating as a Mecca Bingo has ended and as a result the building will cease to operate as a Mecca bingo club with effect from September 14, 2014.
“We are consulting with all employees at the club and we will endeavour to find them other employment opportunities within the company, wherever possible, and we have been advised that the landlord is looking for another tenant.”
Two Little Fleas reported on Thursday that, Mecca Bingo has seen in its revenue drop in the year ending June 2014. Its land venues and its digital operations decreased three per cent to £288.2m during the 12-month period, which is down from £296.2m the previous year. Mecca Bingo’s decline in revenue has been blamed mostly on the fall in customer visits to its land-based venues, the Rank Group have claimed.
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