Players mourn loss of ‘brilliant venue’ as bingo hall to close doors for good TODAY

PUNTERS have mourned the loss of a “brilliant venue” as a bingo hall closes its doors for good today.

Buzz Bingo‘s traditional bingo hall in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, will pull down the shutters for the final time.

The 26,000sq ft establishment on Shenley Road was popular with players in the area.

The move comes as Buzz Bingo is set to test much smaller boutique bingo premises for use on high streets, reports

And it’s not all bad news for bingo lovers in Borehamwood with a new bingo hall opening in the same area on May 28 to replace the old establishment.

But the “new and improved” 3,000sq ft site has a capacity of only 150 players.

However, the new hall is described as a “major glow up” with plenty in store for players to enjoy and see for themselves at the re-opening.

Members can expect a fresh modern atmosphere with stylish decor and comfy new seating in a more contemporary, state-of-the-art “bingo lounge” layout.

The Slots Room will feature the latest fun games and slot machines.

Punters can also enjoy a new menu including a delicious range of paninis and halloumi fries.

Dinesh Pandithurai, General Manager at Buzz Bingo Borehamwood, said: “We’re so excited to bring our amazing community the bingo they know and love with added sparkle.”

One Facebook user praised the new development, saying: “Looks brilliant. Well done all. Look forward to seeing it soon.”

Another added: “Good luck to all staff and management I’m sure you will smash it.”

Although many were excited at the potential “glow-up”, others were apprehensive about the change.

Social media was abuzz with people weighing in with their opinions on the new site.

One wrote: “Doesn’t look like many places to sit and play.”

Another said: “I feel sorry for anyone that turns up on a busy night and gets turned away.”

While a third said that the original “brilliant venue” would be missed by many.

Buzz Bingo — then Gala Bingo — was acquired by Caledonia Investments in 2015 for £241 million.

It is now owned by ICG, which bought a majority stake in the business from Caledonia in 2021.

In 2015 it had 130 clubs, but it has been whittled down to 83 as leases have expired, sites have been redeveloped and poorly performing venues have been closed.

Dominic Mansour, 47, chief executive at Buzz Bingo, said new smaller bingo premises had been “at the core of their communities for more than 25 years [with] a focus on a low-stake bingo offer with frequent winners”.

Mansour told The Times: “There was a renaissance last year where we saw an interesting adoption of bingo among a younger demographic.

“Historically this business has always been known for a middle-aged female demographic. Then last year we saw increases in younger customers looking for a different night out.

“It’s low risk. It’s a very good experience. It’s the softest form of gambling and is very good value.”

He said that bingo still represented “a very, very safe place for women of a certain demographic to go out and have some fun”.

Buzz is buying a business that welcomed 410,000 visitors last year and has recorded a 5 per cent increase in admissions in the year to date.

On average they pay out winnings of more than £1 million a month.

What is happening to the high street?

The pandemic was a tough blow as many stores had to close during lockdown.

Since then energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.

This has left some remaining retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.

The Body Shop is currently going through administration and announced plans to close half of its 198 stores with seven already closed.

Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.

WHSmith told The Sun it has no plans to open anymore more high street stores as it wants to focus on the travel side of its business.

Major banks have also announced multiple branch closures.

Halifax is closing several branches this month and more are due to close later on in the year.

Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.