Buzz Bingo has confirmed it will shut down nine of its clubs across the UK. That means 151 staff could lose their jobs. The news dropped quietly, but it’s made waves for those who depend on the halls—both as a workplace and a regular spot to visit.
The closures aren’t sudden. They’ve been in the works for a while. But the final list of locations now facing the axe has brought the story into sharper focus. It’s hit harder than expected. Some of the staff only found out recently. A few regulars heard it through the grapevine first.
Not Just Numbers
The 151 people affected aren’t just figures on a sheet. They’re bar staff, callers, cleaners, kitchen crew, duty managers, and front desk workers. Many have been in their jobs for years. Some even decades. Now they’re being told their club will shut for good.
Plenty of these workers come from nearby neighbourhoods. These jobs kept bills paid and allowed people to stay close to home. Now there’s worry, confusion, and in some places, anger. People are asking what will come next.
Why This is Happening
The company has blamed a few things. Fewer visitors since the pandemic. Costs going up. Customers tightening their belts. All these bits add up, and for some branches, it just doesn’t balance out anymore.
Buzz Bingo says they’ve looked at every angle. They say this wasn’t a rushed move. But many are still left wondering why more couldn’t be done to save the sites.
To be fair, the business has been under pressure for years. Back in 2020, Buzz went through a company restructure. Then again in 2023, it shifted focus more towards its website and pulled back on some physical locations. These nine closures are part of that longer trend.
The Sites Going Dark
The clubs that will close are dotted around the country. Some in busy towns. Others in quieter corners. Each has its own regulars. Some locations have been open since the days before Buzz rebranded from Gala Bingo. Locals still call them that.
Staff at the sites say they’ve been told the final dates will come soon. For now, it’s business as usual. But everyone knows the countdown has started.
In a few clubs, notices have gone up. Others haven’t said much at all, leaving some punters in the dark. A few customers only realised when the booking website stopped showing future dates.
Reactions on the Ground
The mood in the affected clubs is a mix of sad and resigned. A couple of staff members said it’s like waiting for a storm that’s already hit, but the damage hasn’t quite sunk in yet.
One caller, who asked not to be named, said: “You come to work like it’s any other day, but there’s this cloud hanging over everyone. Even the customers feel it. We don’t know what’s coming next. It’s a weird one.”
Regulars are also feeling the hit. Some are worried about what they’ll do now. One local from the Wolverhampton branch said, “We’ve been coming here every week for fifteen years. It’s more than just a game for us. It’s where we meet our mates.”
A Shift to Digital
Buzz Bingo has made no secret of shifting focus to its website. The online side of the business has been pulling in better numbers. It’s quicker to run, cheaper to maintain, and customers don’t need to leave their homes.
But it’s not the same for everyone. A few players enjoy the site but still prefer the social bit of going out, seeing friends, having a chat over a cuppa, or even grabbing a meal at the club.
Some customers say the online version feels a bit cold. Others say it’s fine, but not how they want to spend their nights. For many older customers, the in-person clubs were easier to manage and more fun.
The company has said it’s working on making its website better. They’ve put money into mobile options and safer play tools. That’s all good and well, but it won’t fix the hole these closures leave behind in real towns.
What Happens to Staff
Buzz Bingo says it’s trying to find new roles within the business for those affected. But with only so many positions and fewer clubs to move into, not everyone will have that option.
Some workers are already applying elsewhere. Others are waiting to see if any support comes through. A few unions have stepped in, but there’s only so much they can do with a private business like this.
Redundancy packages have been mentioned, but many staff are unsure what they’ll get. Most just want clarity. They’ve said they’ll keep showing up and doing the job until the doors shut—but morale is low.
How Local Areas Are Reacting
In places like Carlisle, Preston, and Northampton, the clubs are more than just halls. They’re part of the high street and part of people’s weekly routine. With each club that closes, the town loses a bit of its character—and foot traffic too.
Nearby cafes and pubs sometimes rely on the buzz of bingo nights. When those stop, so does some of the trade. It’s not just about staff and players; it’s the shops next door, the bus routes, the late-night taxis—all of it tied in together.
Some local councillors have spoken out. They say they weren’t given any warning. They’re calling on Buzz to rethink, but with no sign the business will budge.
What Buzz Has Said
In a short statement, Buzz Bingo thanked staff for their hard work. They said this decision wasn’t taken lightly and that they’re doing what they can to manage it properly.
They stressed that this move is part of a larger plan to keep the rest of the business stable. The closures are meant to stop the company from being dragged down in the long term.
But for those losing their jobs or losing their go-to spot for a night out, that’s not much comfort.
What Comes Next
Once the nine clubs shut, Buzz Bingo will still have dozens of halls left across the UK. But the trend is clear: fewer clubs, more focus online.
Some players will make the switch to the website. Others will drift off to rival clubs or stop playing altogether. A few might even follow the old Gala name to Mecca or other spots if there’s one nearby.
What’s clear is that the nature of bingo in Britain is changing fast. The pace might not suit everyone.
Final Thoughts
For now, those 151 bingo jobs hang in the balance. The nine clubs face their final weeks. And a little bit more of local high street life looks set to disappear.
The story might not make front-page news, but for the people caught in the middle of it, it’s massive. They don’t need PR spin or talk about “strategic decisions.” They just want to know they mattered.
The game might go on somewhere else—but not in these halls. And not with the same faces, laughs, and stories that made them what they were.
