Five Gala Bingo halls to close down - Online Bingo News

On the eve of the bingo tax protest before the Houses of Parliament due to take place tomorrow on July 1st, Gala Coral has announced plans to close down five of its bingo halls in the UK.

Gala Coral is the largest bingo operator in the UK and the closures will mean a total job loss for about 300 people employed at the five bingo halls, and also as backroom staff in other bingo clubs across the UK.

As reported by the Associated Press today, the Gala Bingo clubs marked for closing are located in Hull, Port Glasgow, Leven (Fife), Pitsea in Essex and Aldridge in Birmingham. Bingo club staff in Nottingham and Barking, Essex are also likely to be affected by the job cuts.

Gala Coral places the blame on the proposed tax hike in this year's Budget as well as the tough economic climate. The land-based bingo industry has suffered a gruelling period in recent years, with the cumulative effects of the smoking ban, restrictions on high-stake slot machines and also the general economic downturn sending many bingo clubs into closure.

Gala Coral said that it will be centralising many of its operations, including marketing, finance and human resources, which will account for the majority of job losses. The company will begin consultations with staff soon.

Gala Coral said that it would be doing its utmost to find alternative employment for its staff within the company, possibly also in its bookmaker division, currently employer to about 19,500 people.

According to Neil Goulden, Chairman of Gala Coral, the group is currently trading ahead of last year in spite of the challenging conditions.

Gala said earlier, "The changes announced today will ensure that the group is as efficient as it can be in these unprecedented times and that the group is well positioned for future growth and development."

With the loss of these five latest bingo clubs, the number of remaining Gala Bingo clubs in the UK decreases to 148.

Written by Charlene Grey for Bingostreet - your daily resource for bingo news and updates on events in the world of online bingo UK.