Bingo is back with hopes to attract young people

Managers at a newly reopened bingo hall said they hoped cutting costs and encouraging younger players could secure its future.

Winners Bingo in Wisbech, housed in the art deco Empire Theatre in the Cambridgeshire town, closed in July, citing a decline in customers and increasing costs.

However, new operators have taken over, and it has since been reopened as Rio Bingo at the same venue.

Many previous customers have happily returned, and assistant manager Zuzana Moravcikova said the company was exploring ways to expand its clientele, and with that in mind, the future "could be looking good".

When Winners closed its doors in the summer, a petition was started by a regular player who described the bingo hall as a "lifeline" and a "social hub".

It garnered hundreds of signatures, and with new operators now in place, Ms Moravcikova, 30, said the social aspect was back on track.

"We're so glad it's back up and running — we've been so upset for the customers and for us, as staff," she said.

"It's amazing to see all the old customers back, and some new faces as well.

"It does feel like a family, and I've always said that."

The former customers were thrilled their bingo hall had reopened.

Jill Martin, 79, travels from Ely, where she said only evening sessions were on offer and she preferred the daytime games.

She did not mind the journey as she said: "It's so friendly here, we love it, they make us feel so much at home."

Bingo gives her "a lot of pleasure, especially if I win".

Jenny Badcock, 82, lives in Wisbech and used to frequent the club before it closed down.

"It's lovely — I couldn't wait to get back, and it helps to just get out of the house and meet all your friends," she added.

Pat Keenan, 75, who signed the petition campaigning for the reopening, said she relished the "enjoyment, meeting friends and hopefully winning some pennies".

Ms Moravcikova, who has worked in the bingo industry for 10 years since being a university student, offers tea, coffee and snacks at the venue.

Speaking about the future of the club, she said: "We've had a look at the ways we can cut the costs, so we're doing that, and the other part is the marketing side.

"We're thinking of new ideas, what we can do to bring new customers in, and some sessions [where] we can maybe do things a bit different, to bring the younger customers."

These ideas included "some Saturday evening sessions to make it a bit more catchy for the younger players".

"I feel with all of that, it could be looking good, and I have a good feeling about it," she added.

Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.