Buzz Bingo has announced a proposal to close nine of its 91 retail venues due to an “ongoing and challenging operating environment”.
The UK bingo operator noted that 151 of its 2,456 colleagues across its businesses will potentially be affected by the closures, whom it is “committed to supporting at this difficult time”.
The locations that have been identified for potential closure include:
- Surrey Quays
- Dumfries
- Grantham
- Slough
- Belle Vue
- Bromborough
- Carlisle
- Keighley
- Cumbernauld
Buzz Bingo highlighted several factors that have contributed towards the decision to close several locations, including customer behaviour changes following the pandemic, the rising cost of living, the threat of recession, as well as increased energy and operational costs.
The operator’s management team believe the proposed closures “provides the best possible outcome for all of Buzz Bingo’s stakeholders as it looks to secure a sustainable and successful long-term future for the business and its remaining c. 2300 employees”.
Commenting on the proposed closures, Dominic Mansour, CEO of Buzz Bingo, said: “In common with the entire leisure and hospitality sector, Buzz Bingo has failed to see customers return to the high street in the same numbers as before the pandemic.
“This, coupled with a squeeze on family finances brought about by rising inflation and energy prices alongside a jump in our own operating costs means we have no real option other than to cease trading in nine of our locations.
“These closures will, very sadly, impact a number of our colleagues and so our priority is to support all those affected and to do everything we can to minimise job losses. I personally want to thank them for their commitment and service to Buzz.”
Mansour concluded: “Believe me, no one wants to make the call to close clubs. However, it is my belief that it’s these decisions that will allow us to restructure the business for long-term growth and to protect the livelihoods of our colleagues for the long run.”
