LOL Bingo Southport sponsored feature
Two former Southport bingo managers were the VIP guests of honour as the new LOL Bingo in Southport was officially declared open on Friday.
Derick Moss – who is also the Mayor of Burscough – and John Waby were delighted to cut the ribbon and welcome the first customers at the new entertainment venue at 229-233 Lord Street in Southport town centre.
People have been enjoying a weekend of Opening Celebrations, which began on Friday and continue this Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors have been receiving some complimentary fizz, on arrival, a tour of the lounge and some complimentary bingo credits.
Anyone coming over the weekend also gets the chance to win a 32” TV in a free draw, which has today been extended until Monday due to some rainy weather.
Owner Mike Smith said: “What a fabulous few days!
“We’ve had a great opening with some bingo legends and our first £500 winner.
“Our spectacular new LOL Bingo lounge has added some real variety and vitality to Lord Street after lots of investment and hard work transforming two prominent units which had been vacant for several months.
“We are pleased to have received some superb reviews from our first visitors.
“Thank you Southport – we love you.
“With the arrival of Storm Amy, we’ve decided to extend the TV free draw till Monday so you have plenty of time to come when the weather calms.”
Derrick Moss said: “I was the General manager at The Garrick from 1974 to 1979; it was known as the Ladbrokes Lucky Seven at the time.
“I have known Mike for many years, from his days working with Mecca Bingo.
“When I heard about his ambitions to open LOL Bingo in Southport, I contacted Mike to send him my personal good wishes and congratulations.
“I was honoured when he invited John and I to the official opening.
“Southport is a town that loves bingo!
“When I was working here, we used to get around 10,000 people playing bingo at The Garrick every week during the summer.
“Further along Lord Street, at The Grand, they used to welcome around 7,000 bingo players every week.
“Combined, that was 17,000 customers playing bingo every week in the town!
“It was such a shame when Mecca Bingo on Lord Street closed in 2020 and there were no venues left, until now.
“LOL Bingo is in an ideal position in Southport. It is on the crossroads between Lord Street and Eastbank Street, with lots of hotels and guest houses nearby and right in the centre of town.
“It really is in an excellent spot.
“It’s great to see another new business opening on Lord Street. It has been sad to see some empty units along here, so it’s brilliant to see some positive new investment.”
John Waby said: “I was the General Manager at Ladbrokes Lucky Seven at The Garrick between 1980 and 1981.
“I moved up from the Midlands to come and take up the opportunity.
“I’ve enjoyed 48 years in the business, and really enjoyed my time in Southport.
“I joined the Royal Navy at 15 years old and served for 10 years before going into the bingo industry.
“After I left The Garrick, I went back to work in the Midlands. But I love Southport so much that I came back here to live when I retired eight years ago!
“I think the new LOL Bingo Lounge on Lord Street is great.
“Like anything, the proof will be in the pudding, and I hope people come out and support it and give it a try.
“It is in a fantastic location, really accessible and easy to get to, and it is a great new addition to Lord Street.”
The former Lavish Homes store have been transformed in recent weeks.
So far over 1,000 people have joined as members.
Manager Jenny Phillips said: “Our bingo section hosts up to 24 people at any one time, although we’ve already decided to increase to 32 seats with more to come if needed.
“Using the very latest in interactive tech, our customers will be able to chat to our callers and other players in a number of UK venues.
“This is bingo for the modern age. Rather than being limited to what times you can and can’t come in, we’ll be open from 10am until midnight seven days a week.
“You’ll be able to come in at a time that suits you and play for as long or as little as you want.
“Towards the back of the room, we have two interactive dartboards and American pool.
“We have free tea and coffee for customers, along with a free jukebox so you can choose your own music.
“The lounge has some of the best slots in Southport.
“We have two areas to relax, which look out onto the iconic Lord Street, where you’ll be able to come in and have a chat, or sit back with a coffee and watch the world go by!
“LOL Bingo is wheelchair accessible, and we have installed a new disability friendly toilet.
“We love Southport! We’re very much invested in the local community and we’re really keen to get involved in helping to make Southport a better place.”
This is be the third LOL Bingo in the UK, adding to other sites already operational in Harpurhey (Manchester) & Wallsend (Newcastle). The firm has big ambitions to keep growing and to open more lounges in the coming years.
LOL Bingo is at 229-233 Lord Street, Southport town centre.
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