The number of visitors to a Hounslow bingo hall are down since last year’s smoking ban, bingo bosses have said.

Gala Bingo, in Staines Road, attributed losses of 30 per cent to the legislation banning smoking in public places, which came in to effect in July last year.

Surrender Kumar who has worked at the hall for 18 years, said: “The drop in the number of customers has forced us to stop trading on Sunday afternoons.”

The period 2004 to 2005 {before the ban} showed a 24 per cent increase in trade.

Helen Spicer, from Mintel, said: “The smoking ban has meant that many players simply stay away from bingo halls, or if they do go, they head out during the intervals for a quick cigarette.

“If the industry doesn’t come up with new ideas, British bingo could soon be a thing of the past.”

Source: Richmond Twickenham Times. Link

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