Plans have been lodged with Moray Council to demolish the Baker Street club and build houses in its place.

The speculative move is being taken because of the perilous state of the bingo industry, according to Quayside boss James Allan.

The smoking ban, the growth in on-line bingo, and high taxation has contributed to clubs across the UK shutting up shop.

Despite lobbying the Government, nothing has been done to ease the high taxation levels crippling the industry and leading to clubs up and down the land closing, said Mr Allan, managing director.

"The industry is in a bad way." he said. "Other bingo clubs in other areas have been turned into flats or pub chains.

"Numbers are down everywhere and you can tell by playing the National Game. It used to have a £200,000 star prize on a Sunday night, now it is £25,000. When I started linking up with other halls, there were 50. Now there are 27, so the situation is the same everywhere."

Plans to build three new marina townhouses have been drawn up by local architect Craig Mackay and submitted to Moray Council for full planning permission.

Mr Allan will wait and see whether approval is granted before deciding the fate of the club.

He said: "If I get planning permission in place, then it is an option, but I have no plans to close the bingo meantime.

"I would be disappointed to see it end, as the regulars are really good and have been the top fundraisers it the UK for the past seven years.

"Macduff and Nairn have closed down so we are the only independent left in the North. Companies like Gala and Mecca are shutting halls as well.

"Flats and houses in Lossie seem to go well and old buildings being made into flats has tidied up the area.

"I want to have something in place because of the way things are going. If I get planning permission, it is always something to fall back on. It keeps options open."

The Baker Street club was opened in August, 1993 by Forres businessman Remo Caira. Mr Allan, who has worked in the industry all his life, took over in 2000. It earned the name 'Lucky Lossie' because of a run of successes by players, who scooped top cash prizes, holidays, cars and other luxury goods. Its success led to bingo players from all over Moray becoming members, and travelling to Lossiemouth to play.

The smoking in public places ban, introduced in 2006, had a big impact on the number of players and revenue. In some cases, fans are now staying at home to play on-line bingo, and those still going to the bingo who smoke nip outside during the interval for a cigarette, when before they would have played the tables and gaming machines.

The industry has argued that a cut in taxation would allow halls to offer a better prize return, boosting attendance and securing a brighter future for staff and players. They claim that bingo pays the highest tax of any form of gambling.

Quayside is one of three remaining bingo clubs in Moray. Carlton operates halls in Elgin and Buckie.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---