Bingo Operator Defends Club Closure In Scotland

Leven bingo hall is the latest Gala venue to close its doors as tax hike fallout continues.

Gala Bingo has rounded on the government after closing down its numbers game venue in the Scottish town of Leven.

The bingo operator said that Westminster's failure to reverse the recent increase in gross profits tax had left it with no choice but to shut the club, which was a popular meeting place for the local community, Fife Today reports.

MSP for Central Fife Tricia Marwick sent a letter to Gala Coral's executive chairman Neil Goulden, who responded by attacking the government for failing to support the bingo industry.

"Nearly 150 clubs have closed across the UK in recent years as a direct result of government inaction to reduce the tax burden on bingo clubs and now direct negative action against bingo," he told the newspaper.

"We are dismayed that ministers and officials have not listened to our coherent and evidence-based arguments."

Mr Goulden said that Gala would transfer memberships from the Leven bingo hall to its venue in Glenrothes, ten miles away.

Last month, Gala also announced the closure of its clubs in Hull, Glasgow, Pitsea in Essex and Aldridge in the West Midlands.