Listen to this article:In sad news, Mecca Bingo has confirmed that two of its Merseyside bingo clubs could close next month. The operator has entered into consultation over the future of its clubs in Birkenhead and St Helens, with both venues set to close their doors on Sunday, 7 June.
The news will come as a major disappointment to regular players at both clubs, especially as the Birkenhead venue was due to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2027. The St Helens club has also been a familiar bingo venue for local players for many years.
A spokesperson for Mecca Bingo said:
“The proposed closures relate to venues that have not been commercially viable for some time.”
The proposed closures are part of a wider review by Mecca Bingo, which is also considering the future of its Exeter and Taunton clubs. According to the operator, the review is necessary due to long-term profitability issues, upcoming lease decisions, and the cost of maintaining the venues.
Regarding the St Helens and Birkenhead sites, Mecca said that the upcoming lease renewal date:
“has given us an opportunity to review the viability of the clubs which have unfortunately been unprofitable for some time and also require considerable maintenance.”
However, all is not lost, as the company did not announce the closures as definite. Rather, it has said it is currently consulting with affected colleagues before a final decision is made.
“We are currently in a consultation process with colleagues at both sites, with the venues proposed to close on Sunday, 7 June.”
While the news is disappointing for players, Mecca Bingo has explained that the proposed closures are part of its efforts to keep its other clubs open and sustainable.
The company explained:
“These are difficult decisions, but we are working hard to ensure we have a sustainable estate of vibrant community clubs. We are currently in consultation with affected colleagues and will advise our team and our customers once a final decision is reached early next month.”
That means customers at Birkenhead and St Helens will have to wait for the consultation process to finish before the outcome is confirmed. However, for now, both clubs look likely to close on 7 June.
The closure of Mecca Bingo Birkenhead would be particularly sad, as the club has been open for nearly three decades.
The club first opened in November 1997, so it would be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year. Over the years, it has built up a following of regular players and has awarded some sizeable wins. In 2019 alone, the Birkenhead club gave away more than £2 million in prize money.
The St Helens club has also been a long-running venue for local players, and its proposed closure will leave another gap in the Merseyside bingo scene if it goes ahead.
The land-based bingo industry seems to be experiencing mixed fortunes at the moment. While some clubs are being refurbished and relaunched, others are still suffering from rising costs, maintenance bills, and changing player habits.
Mecca Bingo is one of the biggest bingo operators in the UK, but as the proposed closures show, even major industry players are facing difficult decisions.
Even though the two Merseyside bingo clubs could close, there is still a glimmer of hope. The consultation process is still underway, and Mecca has said it will provide a final update once a decision has been reached.
We do not sell or share your information with anyone. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Latest
