Mecca Bingo Closed Four Clubs in June When we reported on Mecca Bingo's June closures, we covered four clubs that shut their doors on 7 June: Exeter, Taunton, Birkenhead and St Helens.
However, after further research, we've discovered that the actual number of Mecca Bingo venues that closed during June was eight, not four.
The additional closures received far less publicity than the others, but for the communities they served, the impact was every bit as significant.
Kingstanding Says Goodbye to an Icon
Perhaps the most historically significant of the additional closures was Mecca Bingo Kingstanding in Birmingham.
The popular bingo club occupied the former Odeon Cinema, an impressive Art Deco building dating back to 1935 and one of the area's most recognisable landmarks. It had operated as a Mecca Bingo club for more than six decades before closing on 7 June.
As with several of the other closures, Rank Group cited poor profitability alongside the substantial cost of repairs and maintenance as the reasons behind the decision.
The closure has already sparked calls from local campaigners to preserve the Grade II-listed building, which many residents see as an important part of Birmingham's entertainment heritage.
Sheffield's Long-Running Club Comes to an End
The closure of Mecca Bingo Sheffield also marked the end of an era.
The club had been part of the city's leisure scene for decades, providing regular bingo sessions alongside slot machines and community events. Like many of the venues affected, it had built up a loyal customer base over many years.
Sunderland Also Among the Casualties
Another venue that received less attention nationally was Mecca Bingo Sunderland.
Although the club remained popular with many regulars, it ultimately became another casualty of Mecca's estate review.
The good news is that a new Club Bingo 3000 venue will be opened in Sunderland.
Croydon Says Goodbye to a Long-Established Club
Another significant closure was Mecca Bingo Croydon, which also ceased trading during June as part of Rank Group's wider estate review.
Located in one of South London's busiest commercial centres, the club had been a familiar fixture for local bingo players for many years. Regular customers praised the venue for its welcoming atmosphere and loyal community of players, with many describing it as an important social hub as much as a place to play bingo.
Eight Closures in One Month Paint a Bigger Picture
The fact that eight Mecca clubs disappeared in a single month, rather than four – almost 10% of its total club count – paints an even starker picture of the direction of travel.
Rank Group continues to report improving revenues across the Mecca brand, but that success is increasingly coming from a smaller network of larger, stronger clubs. Venues with expensive leases, ageing buildings or declining attendance appear to be the first to go.
The June closures mean that communities across England and Scotland have lost long-established social venues that, for many customers, were about far more than just playing bingo.
As we said in our original article, we genuinely hope these closures prove to be the end of the current rationalisation programme.
Unfortunately, with eight clubs now gone in a single month, it feels even more likely they won't be the last closures we read in our bingo news.
Ben has been an massive bingo enthusiast and fan since playing at the seaside as a kid. Dedicated to bringing you the latest and best bingo news from the UK
