Chain: BJ's Bingo
BJ’s Bingo takes its name from “Big Jim” Shipley, a larger-than-life entrepreneur who built up a business spanning amusements, fairground rides, and traditional attractions from the 1950s onwards, growing it into a thriving family enterprise through the 1960s and 70s.
The dedicated bingo side of the business began later, with BJ’s opening its first purpose-built club in Reading in 2002, followed by Leigh in 2003 and Kitts Green, Birmingham in 2007. The clubs are run under Shipley Brothers Limited, reflecting the company’s continued status as a family-run operation, now overseen by two of Big Jim’s sons.
BJ’s Bingo has positioned itself as one of the UK’s leading independent bingo operators, with a particular focus on customer service, modern facilities, and a technology-driven approach — the company describes itself as often acting as a testing house for major suppliers trialling new equipment and ideas within the industry. Clubs offer both traditional paper bingo and electronic tablet-based play, alongside food, drink, and table service designed to create a full night-out experience.
The Shipley family has also expanded into related ventures, notably Shipley Creative, a sister company providing digital media, print, and marketing services to the wider gaming and gambling industry.
Today, BJ’s Bingo operates three clubs — in Reading, Leigh, and Kitts Green (Birmingham) — and remains a family-run business built on the entertainment legacy first established by Big Jim Shipley over half a century ago.
