In what will be one of Mecca Bingo’s largest-ever cull of its bingo venues this Sunday, there has been a new twist to the drama.
Having confirmed that seven long-established venues will be closing permanently this Sunday 26th February, Mecca Bingo Ayr announced yesterday that it too will be shutting for good this coming Sunday.
Business as Usual for Mecca Bingo Doncaster
However, the drama in the UK bingo news did not end there. Despite word that Mecca Bingo Doncaster was in consultation to close, there has been a stay of execution, for the time being at least.
Mecca Bingo Doncaster
Just days before the scheduled closure of Mecca Bingo Doncaster, a historic venue serving the bingo community for more than four decades, there has been an update:
“Consultation on the proposed closure of our Doncaster site has been extended. Discussions are ongoing and we will be making an announcement once complete.”
Whilst there is no announcement or indication that the club will survive the executioner’s axe for much longer, it is business as usual on the Mecca Bingo Doncaster website. Meanwhile, on the other seven websites, there are announcements similar to that of the Mecca Bingo Sale:
source: meccabingo
Mecca Bingo Ayr Axed After More Than Half a Century
As the dabbers of Doncaster breathe a sigh of temporary relief, the patrons of Mecca Bingo Ayr will see their beloved bingo hall close.
After 54 years at the heart of the Ayr community, the iconic building was originally built in 1911 as the Boswell Park Roller Skating Rink. It became a cinema just a few years later and then The Ayr Playhouse theatre in 1931.
Having been a Mecca Bingo Hall since 1968, the numbers will be called for the last time this Sunday 26th February.
Mecca Bingo Ayr posted on their Facebook page on Thursday that the venue would be closed from Monday, with Sunday being their farewell party.
The Rank Group (LON: RNK) plunged into losses at the back of end of last year. The UK bingo and casino operator is now looking at ways to reduce costs. It seems that bingo halls, despite seeing growth in visitor numbers, are the main target for these cost-cutting measures.
Mecca Bingo Ayr was sold in June 2021 via auction. However, they maintained occupancy and the leasehold until 2026. It was assumed and hoped for by the local community that they would have until 2026 to enjoy the bingo.
However, talks were underway in October 2022 over its future, and now, confirmed in the local press, those talks have reached a sad conclusion
Sunday 26th February – The end of an era for Ayr and for other bingo-loving communities across the UK.
Comment From Mecca Bingo
We reached out to Mecca Bingo for comment on the closures. John Dyson, Operations Director at Mecca Bingo, told BingoDaily:
“Following a period of consultation, it is with a heavy heart that I confirm that seven of our clubs will be closing their doors this Sunday (26 February).”
“Mecca has been bringing people together and creating special moments both in our venues and online for over 60 years and this has not been an easy decision to make. We would like to thank our amazing teams, and hope we will continue to see customers from our closing clubs in our venues and chat room community at meccabingo.com.”
The post Mecca Bingo Ayr Axed But Doncaster Given Reprieve appeared first on BingoDaily.