Wednesday March 18th, the Prime Minister finally succumbs to pressure and announces that all schools in Wales and Scotland will be closed from Friday. Schools in England, however, will remain open. For now.
From Glastonbury to the Eurovision Song Contest, Centre Parks to Butlins, company after company are taking heed and shutting up shop, but some are not, and this has led to public shaming on social media. And, one of those companies in the spotlight is Castle Bingo, one of the UK’s biggest high street bingo chains.
Over the past week, announcement after announcement…
…has appeared on Facebook with relation the Coronavirus pandemic, although, not a single one of them relates to the closing of their bingo halls. Wednesday was particularly busy for the social media team with comments flying in from many former players.
Slashing Services
Reducing breakfast bingo sessions was the first major change to come from the bingo operator and one particular club; Morriston bingo hall, decided to suspend free bus and coach services. “Please note that to ensure the safety of our members the bus and coach services provided by the club have been suspended until further notice.”
If they’re that worried about player and staff safety, surely the next post would be news on the temporary closure of the halls? Nope! This is what they had to say on Facebook:
“Club promotional sessions previously scheduled are postponed until further notice. We remain open as normal with a cost of £10 for your bingo games across all sessions. Prize money will be determined on the session and we will always pay the best prize money possible based on the admissions.”
Not a Happy Bingo Community!
Now, this is my ‘local’ bingo hall, I say local, but it’s a good 90-minute car journey away, but that’s the joys of living in the countryside! In my opinion, with all these venues closing and countries in complete lockdown, the right thing here would be for them to shut their doors.
I’m not the only one to think this. One user, Julie Ann Harben, couldn’t believe what she was reading and just had to comment: Shouldn't be allowed to open, too many people in close vicinity. If we’re going stop this virus, we all got our bit to do. A lot of people aged 60 plus in there. What is the matter with the high up bosses?”
Keith Willis agreed: “I honestly think the club should close. It’s not the money you are losing, you need to think about people’s health. After it is all over people will soon come back, as it is a very popular place to come and have a good time.”
And Tina Davies added her thoughts too: “I think you should close the club, think of the old members that go there, and think of the people that go there and don’t even wash their hands after going to the toilet. I’ve seen many and it’s put me off big time. But I will be back some time when we all know we are safe.”
Nicholas Hackett has the right idea: “Can’t you do online bingo until further notice?”
Copy and paste was a true friend to the Castle Bingo marketing team throughout this, with the team commenting on all posts: “The wellbeing of our staff and members is priority. We are following government advice daily and will update our members as and when new information becomes available. -Castle Marketing Team.”
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