The only bingo club left in the Scottish Borders has joined the campaign to Save Scottish Bingo.
The independent, family owned, Border Bingo, usually operates from the Pavilion in Galashiels
The Bingo Association in Scotland has launched a campaign to save Scottish bingo after warning that local bingo clubs could become a thing of the past if they do not receive financial support from the Scottish Government.
Bingo Clubs have been one of the hardest hit sectors during the pandemic - with the majority of clubs having been closed for nine out of the last ten months.
Despite this, Bingo Clubs have received no specific financial support from the Scottish Government, placing over one thousand jobs at risk, according to the Bingo Association.
Ryann Stisi, owner of Pavilion Bingo Club in Galashiels, said:
“Pavilion Bingo Club has been in my family for 21 years and is the only bingo club left in the Scottish Borders. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve been crying out for support from the Scottish Government, but nothing has arrived.
“Without funding, it will be a struggle to survive. And it’s not just me who will suffer – it’s my amazing employees, the local businesses who supply our bar, and of course our fantastic customers who come from all over the borders to play bingo. In normal times, I actually put on ten free buses a week to get them to the club – because they love it so much and it’s so important for them to have a safe space to socialise.
“What makes it harder to swallow is that I share my building with a cinema, and they’ve received lots of funding from the Scottish Government to help them survive. I’m happy for them, but I don’t understand why the Government has decided that one form of entertainment is more important to save than another”.
John Lamont MP said:
“Border Bingo is an integral part of the entertainment sector in the Borders. Bingo halls have been one of the hardest hit industries, only having been able to open for a short period since March last year.
“They really need some direct support to help the industry survive.
“I have asked the Scottish Government and South of Scotland Enterprise to see what can be done to protect jobs and businesses like those at the Pavilion in Galashiels.”
