Sadness at Gala closure decision
The final numbers were called at a West Midlands bingo hall on a day of sadness for regulars.
Gala Bingo in Aldridge shut its doors for the last time on Saturday evening, marking the end of an era.
The listed Anchor Road building, formerly the Avion Cinema, is up for sale after owners Gala Coral decided to axe six of its clubs nationwide. Customers turned out in force to enjoy a last few games before the closure, with many staying from start to finish.
Among them was 79-year-old Gladys Burgess-Lee, a well-known face at the Aldridge club since the 1980s.
She said: "I wrote to MPs and Gala pleading with them to keep it open when they announced it was to go. I even wrote to Mecca Bingo asking them to buy it but didn't get much of a response."
Glenda Allinson, a retired nurse of Leighswood Avenue, said: "I can't understand the closure when this club has been making a profit. There have been people coming here for years and years, and this is the main centre of entertainment in Aldridge."
Doreen Wilson, of Bentley Drive, has been attending the club for the past 25 years – and won £42,000 once. The former leatherworks machinist said: "I have very happy memories of the club. A lot of people are going to miss it."
Manager Dan Shuttleworth said: "We wanted to go out with a smile on our faces because there have been some good times here, and that is what we want to remember.
"Gala enjoyed a golden period in the 90s but the smoking ban took a big chunk of our custom away, and then we couldn't offer as big prize money as a result and lost more custom, and then the recession hit on top of that."
Among the staff losing their jobs on Saturday were long-serving employees Irene Geoghan and Mary Eden.
The two have spent more than 60 years at the Aldridge venue between them, deputy controller Irene 32 years and bar supervisor Mary 33 years.
Irene said: "It is very sad, and there has been a few tears."
