Structural problems seems to be hitting the news a little too often this week. With the main UK motorway, the M1, being closed throughout the weekend causing havoc to travellers to major sporting events, bingo players in the Norwich area will be cursing further structural defects at their local bingo clubs which means it will be closed for an undisclosed period of time. Ironically a former Norwich Union manager had claimed that one of the conditions of its development in the 1950’s was that it be pulled down when the lease ended. It may not last that long now.

The Mecca Bingo, in All Saints Green, will be shut, but the company has laid on a shuttle bus to ferry customers to Mecca club in Aylsham Road. The gaming giant, which also owns the Grosvenor Casino brand, says that it was awaiting for the report from structural engineers regarding the level of work that would be needed to be carried out to make the building safe.

A spokeperson claimed: “It is with great regret that Mecca Bingo has taken the decision to temporarily close its club at All Saints Green, Norwich.

“During routine maintenance and refurbishment work, engineers have discovered that there are some serious structural issues with the building, which could potentially lead to complex and lengthy repairs.

“The engineers can’t complete their assessment while the building is operational so as a result we have temporarily closed the club.

“So that its All Saints customers can continue to enjoy their bingo, Mecca will be providing a free shuttle bus service between All Saints Green and its sister club at Aylsham Road.”

The bus service will depart from All Saints Green at regular intervals between 11am and 1pm, and 5pm and 7pm ,and customers will be brought back to the club too.

While records of the planning decision cannot be found, last year a former Norwich Union Manager claimed that according to conditions laid down in the planning application the building would have to be demolished when the lease expired.