Smoking Ban Puts Bingo Hall Out Of Business
22nd October, 2007
Even though New Century Bingo sees about 1,500 regulars every week, a recent plummet in attendance at this historic bingo hall in Woolston, Southampton is causing them to close their doors for good. Managers at the New Century bingo blame the smoking ban for the drastic decline in customers, because too many had too head outside to smoke, and more and more people have begun playing online bingo as a result.
Many active members of the bingo hall are sad to see New Century go, as is the community as a whole. The building was converted to New Century Bingo over 30 years ago, from The Picturehouse cinema. Many feel that the close of this community centre marks the end of an era.
Bingo player Mary Allott from Thornhill explains her frustration, “I’ve been coming here since it was a Picturehouse in the 1970s, and remember watching Bridge Over The River Kwai. Then I came to play bingo and have been coming all these years, I don’t know what I will do now it is closed.”
Kevin Greenman, a bingo caller at the hall shares Allott’s thoughts. "It is very sad for members who have been coming here for years and it's also sad for Woolston," he affirmed.
Rachel Edwards, assistant manager over at New Century Bingo was sad to see the company close, but she knew they really had no choice. Between the smoking ban, the general shift to online bingo playing, as well as the plans for a national competitor to move into the area soon, New Century’s last ball of the night had been called.
