A Dumfries bingo club which is no longer “financially viable” looks set to shut next month with the loss of 11 jobs.
Buzz Bingo Dumfries on Shakespeare Street is one of nine facing closure across the UK with the company citing the “ongoing and challenging operating environment” as the reason for wielding the axe.
A company spokesperson confirmed: “Regrettably, the closures will potentially impact 11 colleagues in the club.
“In terms of timings, there will now be a period of consultation, with the likely last trading day across all nine sites being Monday, April 10.
“The building is leased so Buzz Bingo cannot comment on the future of the space.”
Buzz Bingo currently has 91 clubs and the closures would mean 151 job losses out of a 2,456-strong workforce.
It said a fall in the number of those playing bingo from 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” has been challenging.
The fall in numbers, said the company, alongside increased energy and operational costs on site has meant the nine affected clubs have “unfortunately ceased to be financially viable”.
The firm’s chief executive, Dominic Mansour, 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.
“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.”
