It has just been reported that “Alchemy” who are the privately backed owners of the Buckingham Bingo Clubs based in the North of England, are in crisis talks with their bank, after they have seen their revenues drop dramatically due to the smoking ban, gambling laws and the double taxation law laid out by our government.

Are we now about to see more bingo clubs closing down in the UK? It is too early to say that for sure, but things most certainly don’t look good. Alchemy met with Barclays Bank on 19th March to discuss options for their struggling bingo business and they will now have to decide whether to inject more cash into their bingo clubs or hand them over to the bank. Alistair Darlings Budget did nothing to ease the burden for our bingo halls in the UK, but instead increased the tax burdens faced by the bingo industry as a whole. This most certainly was not a “Darling” of a Budget for anyone involved in the industry, players and employees alike.

Alchemy only acquired the Buckingham Bingo business in 2005, in a £101 million deal and it has been said that they have equity in this business that topples £60 million. Buckingham Bingo’s headquarters are based in Manchester and they are one of the leading regional Bingo operators throughout the UK. All of their Bingo clubs are based in the North of England and they are all large purpose built bingo clubs, that cater for every need of the bingo player.

Here at Unlucky for Some, we have whole heartedly supported Mecca Bingo and our bingo clubs in their plight to try and help save our bingo and we are sure this fight will continue. A petition was set up by James Cook, who is a bingo caller at Mecca Bingo in Fountain Park. Its aim is to make our government listen and listen hard to what is truly happening out here in the real world and that, hundreds of British bingo clubs are in jeopardy because of the grossly unfair system of “Double Taxation” that they have to pay. You still have until 11th April to add your signature to it and it will only take you a couple of minutes to complete. Your support is greatly needed.

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