Operator News

UK – Buzz Bingo to close nine clubs due to ‘challenging operating environment’

Buzz Bingo is to close nine of its 91 bingo clubs due to the ongoing and challenging operating environment in the UK lesiure sector.

Regrettably, the closures will potentially impact 151 of Buzz’s 2,456 colleagues across the business, whom Buzz Bingo is committed to supporting at this difficult time. 

The challenges facing businesses in the leisure and hospitality sectors are well understood.  Like many, Buzz Bingo has had to contend with a change in customer behaviour following the pandemic, alongside a loss in consumer confidence due to the rising cost of living and threat of recession.  This fall in numbers, alongside increased energy and operational costs on site has meant the nine affected Clubs have unfortunately ceased to be financially viable.

The management 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.

Dominic Mansour, Chief Executive, Buzz Bingo commented: “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.

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.”