Date of closure: 4th May 2011
Address (for reference only):
Mecca Bingo
Portswood Road
Southampton
SO17 2NH
Another blow has been dealt to land based bingo with the closure of the Southampton Mecca Bingo club in Portswood. After 40 years of operation as a bingo club the premises have been sold to a local church.
Originally a cinema, the club had over thirty four thousand members, and has been closed because owners Rank had apparently been made an offer that they couldn’t refuse by an unnamed buyer. Rank do claim that they would like to open another bingo club in the area, so please watch this space, as we will inform you if and when this actually happens.
By Gareth Whieldon (April 2011)
Mecca Bingo Southampton, Portswood Centre Update
After closing in 2011, Mecca Bingo would appear very determined to re-open in the Southampton area, and are offering a cash reward to whoever can locate suitable premises for them. The cash incentive is being offered to the finder of suitable premises, the criteria being a 30,000 sq ft flat floor, and at least 150 parking spaces, the most likely location being on a business park. The Portswood venue closed in 2011 with 35 thousand players on its books, which is a lot of potential bingo revenue, so it’s not surprising that Mecca have hinted at a four figure finders fee for the lucky person who can find somewhere suitable for the proposed new club. Cash for the finder, jobs and the return of bingo for the locals – it’s a win-win situation.
By Gareth Whieldon (February 2012)
