Outdoor bingo introduced for smokers

BINGO players will be able to keep their eyes down while taking a cigarette break thanks to a new hi-tech smoking shelter.

Gala Bingo in Fenton is one of the first bingo clubs in the country to introduce al fresco gaming machines, meaning customers will not have to stop playing when they want to smoke.

Like pubs and clubs across the country, bingo halls have had to adapt since the introduction of the smoking ban in 2007, and are now having to deal with the effects of the recession.

But staff at Gala believe open air bingo will prove popular with their customers and help the club thrive.

Assistant manager Robert Jones said: "When you look at some bingo clubs and see people smoking outside, it does look quite unsociable. But with this smoking shelter it's more social, they can have a drink, chat with their friends, and they can carry on playing.

"We're not saying we're for or against smoking. But just like in any other business, we have to find out what our customer wants.

"Since the smoking ban was introduced we've seen smaller clubs closing right across the country.

"But bigger groups such as Gala have been able to invest in things like this. I think the shelter will be very well-used in the summer."

The heated smoking shelter houses 32 coin-activated kiosks which allow customers to play "party" bingo, where prizes can be anything from £10 to more than £1,000.

Games cost 50p or £1, with players using special boards to mark off the numbers being displayed on each machine.

Rather than shouting "house" to indicate a win, players press a button on the machine to stop the game.

Mr Jones said: "People can't play main stage bingo out here, because there's no way to stop the caller.

But they can still win big prizes. In a linked game the other night someone won about £1,100 on one of the machines."

Customers at Gala have been very impressed with the new shelter.

Julie Castle, aged 43, of May Place, Fenton, said: "I've been coming here about two-and-a-half years, and I do smoke. I think this new shelter is quite nice. I do like to play on those machines sometimes."

Maisie Rhodes, aged 83, of Canberra Crescent, Meir Park, said: "Before you had to just go outside to smoke, where it was really cold and not very nice. But the new shelter is brilliant. I haven't tried playing on the machines yet, I think I'm a bit too old for that sort of thing."