Actress Linda slams closure of bingo hall
 | | Linda Robson |
ACTRESS Linda Robson has condemned the closure of Islington's only bingo hall.
Bosses of Mecca Bingo Club in Essex Road, Islington, have confirmed that numbers will be called for the last time at the historic hall on March 25.
 | | Dolores Murray |
Linda, 48, who lives in Islington, said: "It was always so busy there. I used to go a lot with my mum. It's the end of an era.
"She's coming up to 70 now and there's not many places they can go and meet up and have a chat. What else is there for a woman of her age to do? That's her way of life gone out of the window. Her life is bingo."
Linda's mum Rita, who also lives in Islington, said: "It's disgusting. They are going to ruin so many people's lives. I won't be able to go out because I won't have anywhere to go."
Fuming bingo lovers staged a protest to fight the closure of their treasured club last Wednesday. Mecca's owner Rank says the hall must shut because it will lose money when the smoking ban in public places comes into force in July. It also blames an unfavourable tax system for bingo halls for the closure.
But players are furious the club will not been given a chance - and they have started a petition calling on bosses to reconsider.
Dolores Murray, 64, of Basire Street, Islington, said: "Five weeks notice after 34 years coming here. They've not considered us at all.
"This bingo hall is family for people. They come in and make friends. That's going to be taken away from all those elderly people."
Rank will host a party for members and staff at the hall on the day it closes.
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