Buckingham Bingo Rejected

Buckingham Bingo wanted to open the casino at its branch at the Parrs Wood leisure complex in East Didsbury but it was thwarted after a public outcry by residents and civic leaders.

Last week Manchester City Magistrates' licensing unit decided to reject the bid after a four-day hearing. Didsbury resident and former Labour councillor Geoff Bridson, who led the campaign, said: "This is a victory for residents. I'm pleased good sense has prevailed." Manchester Withington MP John Leech said: "I'm delighted with this decision. "We didn't believe that it should have got planning permission in the first place and we're glad that it's been turned down on licensing grounds. "It would have been far too close to the local school and there was no real demand for an additional casino in that part of Manchester."

Didsbury East councillor David Sandiford said: "The evidence was that there was no demand from local people for a casino. "If this had opened it would have meant more noise all through the night. "Moreover, having a casino next to a school is totally inappropriate." Buckingham Bingo is little more than a stone's throw from Parrs Wood High School and residential properties on Wilmslow Road. Residents were also concerned that the casino was too close to other family attractions in the leisure complex.

Buckingham Bingo is one of the leading regional Bingo operators in the UK, headquartered in Manchester. At acquisition the company owned and operated ten clubs all based in the North of England. They are purpose built, modern clubs that are large for the industry at an average size of 27,000 sq ft. The strategy is to increase the profitability of the existing clubs primarily through increased investment and also through the addition of new sites.

In December 2005, Alchemy invested £54m in the acquisition and holds 80% of the equity.  In early 2006 a further £6.9m was invested to acquire an eleventh club.  In its financial year to 31 March 2007, Buckingham Bingo's revenue was £37m.

Close Brothers advised Alchemy Partners ("Alchemy") on the acquisition of Buckingham Bingo Limited ("Buckingham"). Close Brothers originated the transaction for Alchemy. The Manchester-based operator of ten bingo halls, was said to have been acquired by Alchemy Partners for £90m in December 2005. 

Buckingham is the north of England's largest independent bingo club operator with 10 clubs and over 2.5 million attendances per year. The company has steadily expanded and now has a staff of 500 serving 500,000 members across its 10 sites including Old Trafford, Walkden, Didsbury and Middleton.

Buckingham effectively pioneered the modern bingo club, with its success founded on giving best value for money bingo and ancillaries, in the most comfortable premises in the industry. The company continues to enhance customer enjoyment by providing interesting, novel and entertaining events. All Buckingham clubs participate in the National Game where 500 clubs nationwide join together to offer very large prizes.

Buckingham bingo, bought by Alchemy Partners in December, has went on tp purchase the Stardust bingo club in Corby from Hamblin Leisure for an undisclosedfee thought to be close to £7M.