Buzz Bingo closing 26 bingo halls, cutting 574 jobs

Buzz Bingo has announced today that 26 of its 117 clubs across the UK will be closing permanently in order to secure the company’s long term future. The move puts 574 jobs at risk.

The news comes just weeks before Buzz plans to open 12 clubs back up after closing in March due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The halls closed before the official government lockdown to protect staff and customers, and have remained closed since then.

The 91 clubs unaffected by these closures will begin opening on August 6th, with protective measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID and provide a safe environment for customers.  

These measures include reduced max capacities and socially distanced tables, sanitisation stations and clear perspex screens between staff and customers, and between player hubs like the gaming and bingo machines. 

Bookies in the UK have similar measures in place, including screens between the FOBT machines. In Scotland, the government’s rules have been far more strict, however Scottish bookies can open with reduced measures from July 22nd.

Chief exec of Buzz Bingo, Chris Matthews said: “The ongoing pandemic has had far-reaching consequences for the entire leisure and hospitality sector and an immediate and significant impact on our business.” 

He goes on to justify the closures by saying Buzz will “restructure our retail portfolio to ensure we are well positioned for a return to growth, while adapting to the ongoing, challenging environment as we start to reopen the majority of our clubs.”

With bookies and bingo halls opening in the near future, you have to wonder when the Government will allow casinos to reopen their doors. Currently there has been no mention of casinos opening after nearly 4 months of forced closure, despite the BGCs insistence that casinos are ready to reopen.

The closure of the bingo halls should have no effect on the Buzz Bingo online bingo site, which offers all its players no wagering requirements on any of its bonuses or welcome offers.