Two Fat Ladies, Legs Eleven and Knock at the Door could become cries of the past for bingo players in West Norfolk when the national smoking ban is enforced from July 1.
Bingo halls have a high concentration of smokers and fears have already been raised about a possible closure of premises and the subsequent loss of a night out for many.
Within three months of the smoking ban being introduced in Scotland in 2006 five halls had closed and some operators were reporting a revenue drop as high as 27 per cent.
These alarming statistics saw some operators in England fearing the worst and players in Lynn could face a potentially uncertain future.
Nessa Stevenson (79), of Purfleet Place, Lynn, supports the ban but has some concerns about the long-term future of the game she loves.
She said: "The operators make their money during the half-time break on the fast money games but the players will be going outside to smoke.
"I like to get out and play bingo on a social basis, to meet people and have somewhere to go, it is not just about money.
"But I fear we could be left with nowhere to go."
Ellie Wood (75), of Highgate, Lynn, plays twice a week at Gala Bingo, on St James Street, Lynn.
She said: "I think it is a good idea as I have got asthma. I go when it is quiet, so the smoke is not too bad.
"I do not go to the pub or places like that, so this is quite social. When living on your own you do not always mix with people and bingo is an important part of Lynn life."
But Gala Bingo spokesman Emma Park believes the future remains positive.
She said: "The smoking ban will have a major impact on the lives of a large number of our customers and colleagues.
"We are doing all we can to support them as they adjust to the changes introduced.
"We are well prepared for the effects and have measures in place which will help us to continue delivering the Gala buzz –the best bingo club experience for all our customers to enjoy – and we believe this will keep them coming back for more."
Michael Thomas, owner of Thomas's Entertainments in Hunstanton, stages regular games for tourists and local residents but is preparing himself for a ten to 20 per cent drop in turnover.
He said: "We do not know how much it will affect us.
"The thing that has grown out of all proportion is Internet gaming. People can use a computer in their own homes and play bingo without leaving their armchairs. They can play at any time and they can smoke.
"I think the smoking ban will just increase that and decrease the softer end of the industry, where we are.
Betting shops will also fall under the umbrella of the ban, with smoke-filled bookies set to become a distant memory.
Coral, which has two shops in Lynn and others in Downham and Swaffham, is well prepared for the policy change.
Spokesman David Stevens said: "Evidence points to it being a positive move.
“The feedback we have had from Scotland, where the ban is already in force, is that it makes the shop a more pleasant place to spend time for staff and customers.
“They are spending more time in the shops and we are now seeing people who have been put off in the past.”
The message from Betfred, whose shop in Lynn is one of 20 in Norfolk, is very similar.
Spokesman Jamie Watson said: “From our experience it has had a minimal impact on business.
“We have not had many problems with people not being able to smoke and if we do it is the customers who usually tell them not to.”
Bingo halls have a high concentration of smokers and fears have already been raised about a possible closure of premises and the subsequent loss of a night out for many.
Within three months of the smoking ban being introduced in Scotland in 2006 five halls had closed and some operators were reporting a revenue drop as high as 27 per cent.
These alarming statistics saw some operators in England fearing the worst and players in Lynn could face a potentially uncertain future.
Nessa Stevenson (79), of Purfleet Place, Lynn, supports the ban but has some concerns about the long-term future of the game she loves.
She said: "The operators make their money during the half-time break on the fast money games but the players will be going outside to smoke.
"I like to get out and play bingo on a social basis, to meet people and have somewhere to go, it is not just about money.
"But I fear we could be left with nowhere to go."
Ellie Wood (75), of Highgate, Lynn, plays twice a week at Gala Bingo, on St James Street, Lynn.
She said: "I think it is a good idea as I have got asthma. I go when it is quiet, so the smoke is not too bad.
"I do not go to the pub or places like that, so this is quite social. When living on your own you do not always mix with people and bingo is an important part of Lynn life."
But Gala Bingo spokesman Emma Park believes the future remains positive.
She said: "The smoking ban will have a major impact on the lives of a large number of our customers and colleagues.
"We are doing all we can to support them as they adjust to the changes introduced.
"We are well prepared for the effects and have measures in place which will help us to continue delivering the Gala buzz –the best bingo club experience for all our customers to enjoy – and we believe this will keep them coming back for more."
Michael Thomas, owner of Thomas's Entertainments in Hunstanton, stages regular games for tourists and local residents but is preparing himself for a ten to 20 per cent drop in turnover.
He said: "We do not know how much it will affect us.
"The thing that has grown out of all proportion is Internet gaming. People can use a computer in their own homes and play bingo without leaving their armchairs. They can play at any time and they can smoke.
"I think the smoking ban will just increase that and decrease the softer end of the industry, where we are.
Betting shops will also fall under the umbrella of the ban, with smoke-filled bookies set to become a distant memory.
Coral, which has two shops in Lynn and others in Downham and Swaffham, is well prepared for the policy change.
Spokesman David Stevens said: "Evidence points to it being a positive move.
“The feedback we have had from Scotland, where the ban is already in force, is that it makes the shop a more pleasant place to spend time for staff and customers.
“They are spending more time in the shops and we are now seeing people who have been put off in the past.”
The message from Betfred, whose shop in Lynn is one of 20 in Norfolk, is very similar.
Spokesman Jamie Watson said: “From our experience it has had a minimal impact on business.
“We have not had many problems with people not being able to smoke and if we do it is the customers who usually tell them not to.”
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