Gala Bingo has announced that its bingo club in Preston is to close with 22 jobs at risk. The land based and online gambling operator has blamed the closure on ‘difficult’ trading conditions and it will be the second bingo club in the are to close in recent years after Buckingham Bingo closed its own bingo club on New Hall Lane in 2009.

The Gala Bingo in Preston city centre will close its doors for the last time on 4th February 2012.

A spokesman for Gala Bingo, said: “We can confirm that we have notified our staff about the closure of our bingo club in Preston.

“The last day of trading will be Saturday 4th February 2012.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly especially at this time of year.

“We are considering the welfare of our staff and customers every step of the way and are currently in consultation with the club’s 22 employees and where possible we will be looking to find them alternative employment opportunities within the Group.

“We recognise the important role the club plays in the community and will continue to offer our customers an enjoyable bingo experience at the nearby Blackburn and Chorley clubs.”

Preston Coun Drew Gale added: “It is devastating news and our thoughts are with the families who will be losing jobs as a result of the current administration’s cuts agenda which is leaving people with little disposable income.

“I think bingo is incredibly popular hence the increase in bingo halls but people do not have money to spend.”

While part of the Buckingham Bingo group, including the club on Tithebarn Street, was saved after Fraser Capital Investment acquired them and operating them along with their other bingo clubs under the ‘3000’ brand, the Buckingham Bingo club on New Hall Lane was not so lucky and closed in 2009. It reportedly cost Buckingham Bingo £4.1 million and had only been operating for two years.