people occupied. Young people are now returning to play bingo during the week as a result of an introduction to Meltdown.


When we first mooted the idea, we conducted a test session to prove the market. After the initial success we went weekly. This lasted for a month but the initiative is much better suited to a monthly event. Our hall is huge – with a 1,500 capacity – and we pull drapes around the stage area to cordon it off. It’s perfect for around two hundreds revellers; intimate and ideal for socialising. With the smaller area we can create a really buzzing atmosphere and the customers love it.


Do other venues host Meltdowns?


Cricklewood, in north-west London, is Beacon’s biggest venue and holds 3,000 people. We have a monthly Meltdown there and normally pull in around 400 participants. Loughborough’s capacity is around the 1,000 mark and they have approximately 100 to 150 players every month. The team that host Northampton then work at the other two venues. We all worked together to formulate a plan that evolved over time. There a possibility of rolling out Meltdown to the other three Beacon Bingo venues in Brighton, Streatham and Lowestoft.


How does a night at Beacon compare to other venues


Drinks at Beacon Bingo venues cost the same as an average pub, but are cheaper than a nightclub. A single game of bingo is just a pound and all eight Meltdown session tickets can be purchased for £8 – two hours of fun. Once Meltdown has finished


the venue can stay open until 2am for more drinks or gaming.


Is modernisation the future of bingo?


Yes, definitely, but not to the detriment of our core customers. ‘Noisy bingo’ is getting more popular and we are incorporating more of these areas – B2 – into our venues. Essentially, they are cordoned areas off from the main hall where people tend to socialise more, as opposed to the quieter main areas. When a bingo game starts, it can be anti- social because players can’t talk to each other. In the B2 areas people can chat while they play.


As an industry, we have always strived to bring in groups such as work parties and hen parties.


What’s the relationship like between online bingo and the land-based operations?


We don’t see online bingo as a threat to our business. We have a strong brand and it should compliment it – they should support each other. People are going to play online so we would rather it was with us. Both parts of the business advertise, and compliment, each other. Beacon Bingo’s online presence has a large forum following and we have thousands of members who regularly chat and socialise.


What were you main reasons for joining Beacon Bingo and what’s changed during your career?


I’ve been in the industry since 1976 and when the opportunity arose to join Beacon in 1995 I jumped at the chance. Many things have changed in that


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bingo life magazine


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