Listen to this article:Buzz Bingo has been served formal notice and ordered to vacate its venue in Scunthorpe by April 9, 2026. The notice comes as the landlord, Zirconia Trading Ltd., is continuing its appeal against North Lincolnshire Councilās refusal to permit the conversion of the venue into a self-storage unit.
A spokesperson for Buzz Bingo has said that for now, the Scunthorpe club is operating as usual and that it is actively looking for a replacement venue within the town. Zirconiaās appeal paperwork shows that formal notice was served on April 4, 2025.
The planning application, which aims to convert the building from a Scunthorpe bingo hall to a self-storage facility, was validated in October 2024 and then refused in April 2025. The reason given by the council for the rejection was the loss of a āvalued facilityā in the community. In what may be a glimmer of hope for bingo players who are fond of the venue, it was at least the third time that councillors had turned down similar proposals.
Zirconia representatives argued during the planning process that the bingo hall does not constitute a community facility in planning terms. Boyer Planning director Nick Diment argues that a bingo hall doesnāt represent a community facility, and he said that a self-storage unit could offer economic benefits by supporting local small businesses unable to afford other storage options.
There has been a great deal of local opposition to the redevelopment. More than 100 objections were submitted, with residents speaking of the venueās social importance.
During public discussions, one woman, Chery Stocks, said: āIt is a community facility… This goes a long way to prevent social isolation. It helps hundreds of people with their mental health.ā Buzz Bingo reportedly has over 37,000 registered members in North Lincolnshire; a clear sign of its local popularity.
Councillors were also told that Buzz Bingo had been operating under a flexible, below-market lease since April 2022, after serving notice to leave. Despite this, the business has continued to operate in Scunthorpe, running daily sessions for its loyal members.
A spokesperson for Buzz Bingo said:
āBuzz Bingo Scunthorpe is open for business and welcoming our loyal players and new customers to our club every day whilst we seek a new home in Scunthorpe. We are keeping our colleagues informed and have engaged them with the search for a new venue. We appreciate the loyalty and support of our amazing bingo community, and we continue offering a social space to play bingo every afternoon and evening.ā
Buzz Bingo, which rebranded from Gala Bingo in 2018, has been dealing with a number of financial challenges. Like many entertainment venues, the company was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and has since undergone a restructuring. In 2023, the operator closed around 10% of its UK clubs due to increased operational costs and a slower-than-expected return of customers.
Licensed and regulated by the UKGC under account number 57594, Buzz Bingo has since focused on consolidating its most profitable locations while investing in digital gaming platforms. However, physical venues such as Scunthorpe still have an important role to play in its business model, especially as they continue to attract older demographics who value in-person interaction.
The current planning appeal may take several months to finish and the outcome could have long-term implications. Not only for Buzz Bingo but also for other local community venues facing similar redevelopment pressures. Meanwhile, it is clear that Buzz Bingo is committed to staying in Scunthorpe and there is every chance that a new venue will be found very soon.
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