TWO fat ladies are set to sing for a bingo venue which is to close next month after almost 20 years of entertaining residents.

Beacon Bingo in Moulsecoomb Way, Brighton, will close on February 28 following an “unsolicited offer” for the site from a third party.

Up to 27 jobs are at risk from the closure at the venue which has been calling out numbers since November 1996.

Operators say the venue will continue to operate as normal until the closing date.

Management at Milton Keynes-based Praesepe, who own the Beacon Bingo brand, said a full consultation process has been entered into with staff and options were being explored to “avoid or minimise” redundancies with possible redeployment opportunities elsewhere within the group.

Larry Kehoe, operations director at Beacon Bingo said: “As part of our continuing plan to ensure the future viability and profitability of the Praesepe Group, we regularly review our property and business portfolio.

“Following a recent review and after careful consideration of the potential impact both commercially, as well as for our customers and employees, it is with regret that we can confirm the impending closure of Brighton Beacon Bingo.

“The outstanding contribution of all staff and management at this club has enabled us to provide a great service to the local community.

“Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the club has continued to make a trading loss.”

The company said it could not confirm the identity of the third party bidder due to legal reasons.

  • Are you sad to see the bingo hall go? Are you one of the staff whose jobs are at risk?  Leave your comments below or contact 01273 544530 or email neil.vowles@theargus.co.uk