Listen to this article:Buzz Bingo has begun a £25 million refurbishment of its UK club network as part of an ambitious five-year plan to modernise its venues and attract a younger audience. Backed by new financing from Barclays, the project is designed to overhaul the traditional bingo experience with digital innovation, updated interiors, and improved in-club features.
The renovations will take place over a number of years and are starting this year with the transformation of eight venues, including clubs in Leeds and Stockport. The first completed project, Sheffield Parkway, has already reopened following a major refurbishment, and the early results are promising. Buzz has reported a 200% increase in weekly footfall following the renovation, with attendance up 131% compared to the same period last year.
Speaking after the reopening, Dominic Mansour, CEO of Buzz Bingo, said:
“Our new investment programme will see clubs across our estate being transformed. This is all about modernising bingo for the next generation of players and taking our clubs to the next level to offer a truly unmatched experience for our players, and we believe our Sheffield Parkway site is now one of the best bingo clubs in the country.”
It is not just the appearance of the clubs that is being updated. As part of its transformation, Buzz Bingo plans to introduce over 10,000 electronic bingo tablets and more than 1,300 new slot machines across its venues. They are also installing modern self-service kiosks, similar to those found in quick-service restaurants, alongside fully integrated digital membership cards and faster Wi-Fi connections.
With nearly half of its new customers aged between 18 and 35, Buzz is focused on tailoring its venues to appeal to a younger demographic. The refurbished Sheffield Parkway club now features high-definition digital screens, exciting audio-visual systems, and contemporary bar and lounge areas. It also displays artwork by local artists, which creates a more community-focused environment.
Mansour added:
“By combining cutting-edge technology, more modern interiors and even better food and drink, we’re not just refurbishing our clubs — we’re going to be reimagining what bingo can be in the future.”
The upgrades are part of Buzz’s broader omnichannel strategy, which was first announced in 2023 and aims to blend physical club play with digital engagement. With a weekly prize payout of £2 million in venues and £400,000 online, Buzz is providing players with a rewarding experience across all touchpoints.
In addition to revamping existing locations, Buzz is also growing. Buzz recently acquired two Merkur Bingo clubs in Northampton and Cricklewood, the latter being home to what Buzz describes as the largest bingo venue in the UK.
The investment comes amid impressive financial performance. In fiscal year 2023, Buzz reported a 14% rise in EBITDA and a 31% increase in online revenue, with total net gaming revenue reaching £207 million. The company now boasts over one million members and attracts more than 100,000 visitors weekly to its venues.
Alongside digital terminals and slots, Buzz has already invested over £1 million to upgrade Wi-Fi infrastructure across its clubs, which further aligns the in-venue experience with the convenience of online play.
Buzz Bingo was acquired by Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) in 2021, when the private equity firm took a majority stake from Caledonia Investments. The company says this current funding round from Barclays is essential to achieving its long-term vision of becoming the “Bingo Club of the Future.”
With additional Buzz Bingo venues set to be refurbished in the near future, bingo fans of all generations have a great deal to look forward to.
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