Twenty-five jobs at risk as Margate Beacon Bingo closure announced

Beacon Bingo in Margate

Some 25 jobs are at risk with the news that Beacon Bingo in Margate is expected to close on April 5.

The seafront club has some 1,100 customers every week but it is not enough to keep it financially stable.

Staff are now urging players to come and support the club and have launched a save our Beacon Bingo Margate page.

Beacon Bingo, along with Cashino, Funshine and Tan Express, is part of the Praesepe Group of companies, one of Europe’s largest  gaming organisations.

The firm operates 6 Beacon Bingo clubs, 168 Cashino adult gaming centres, 6 seaside family entertainment centres and 28 tanning salons.

Praesepe bought out the Beacon Group in 2009.

Graeme with Paul Doody and his wife Jodie at Beacon Margate

Margate’s Beacon Bingo manager Graeme Corner, who has been at the helm since 2010, said: “It is so sad as its a lovely community club and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time there.”

The venue has been popular due to a variety of events including Binglo bingo and live acts such as Star In Their Eyes nights.

Members of staff are hoping punters will come and support the club in a bid to keep it open. They say there is ‘a glimmer of hope’ if more players use the venue.

Find the Save Our Beacon Bingo facebook page here

Mark Schertle, Chief Operating Officer for Praesepe, said: “The outstanding contribution of all Praesepe staff and management at this club for over seven years has enabled us to provide a great service to the local community.  Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the bingo club has made a significant trading loss for the past few years.”

Beacon Bingo is undertaking a full consultation process with the staff with the aim of exploring ways of avoiding or minimising the potential risk of any redundancies.

A spokesman added: “Every effort will be made to seek redeployment opportunities within the Praesepe Group.”

2 Comments

  1. Would be nice to have a more “quality” attraction to help with Margate’s regeneration to replace Beacon Bingo.

Comments are closed.