Bingo: Our number's up

Helen O'Sullivan with a petition against the closure of the Mecca Bingo Hall

BINGO lovers have signed a petition to protest against the imminent closure of Swindon's Mecca bingo hall.

The hall, which has been entertaining bingo players since 1974, will open its doors for the last time today.

As reported in Thursday's Adver, the bingo hall has been sold by The Rank Group to Swindon Council as part of the town centre regeneration programme.

Regulars at the Regent Circus venue have spoken of their anger at the closure and the gaping hole it will leave in their lives.

And to show how much they will miss the venue, they have amassed a 280-signature petition.

Helen O'Sullivan, 66, of Cowdrey Close, Toothill, has been playing at the bingo hall for more than 20 years. She said: "I am so upset that it is closing.

Helen said she knew everybody who played at the bingo hall by their first name.

She said: "Now we will be split up. Most won't be able to go to the bingo in Greenbridge because many of them used to get a taxi home.

"I won't be able to carry on playing bingo now. I just won't be able to go. It will leave a big gap in my life."

Betty Marfleet, of Lyneham, used to travel into Swindon by bus to play bingo on Mondays and Saturdays.

She said: "I used to just get the bus. But the nearest hall now is Gala Bingo at the Greenbridge Retail Park.

"That is two buses away, and I can't do that because it means coming home when it is dark.

"It is the people that you meet playing bingo that matter.  Among those who will be losing out is Jenny Nixon, who has worked at the hall for nearly 30 years.  Jenny will lose her job. She said: "I'm too upset to talk about it. It has come as such a shock."

A spokesman for Mecca Bingo said: "We can confirm that we have now completed the sale of Mecca Bingo Swindon to Swindon Borough Council."

A farewell party is being held for Mecca bingo members at the bingo hall at 10.30am today.

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