Rank, the operators of the Mecca Bingo chain have announced the opening of a new bingo club in Beeston, near Nottingham. The £5 million+ development is ear marked to open its doors for the first time on 14 May 2009.

Mecca bingo are claiming the bingo hall will be more of a leisure venue in a bid to attract a much wider audience. The bingo club will combine entertainment, food and drinks operations as well as a quiet area for the traditional bingo hall attendees.

Bosses are saying this will be the first of it's kind in the UK which is disputed by other operators. Beacon Bingo in Cricklewood opened up a room called Hot Sam's which was like a sports bar with a large screen TV in the late 90s.  Gala attempted a chain of clubs called the Midas including a venue in Derby that combined bingo and pool to attract more males but this was quickly changed to a traditional bingo club and some of the other Midas clubs closed and the scheme has never since been repeated or attempted by the Gala chain

Bingo Supermarket will attend the club soon after the opening and will do a full report and review towards the end of May 2009.