CARLTON Bingo in Dunfermline has joined a campaign to call for government support to help prevent Scottish bingo's number being up.

Based at Fife Leisure Park from 2005, the club has been closed since November and 50 employees are dependent on the hall operating.

The Bingo Association in Scotland has launched an effort to save Scottish bingo after warnings that the local bingo club could become a thing of the past if they do not receive financial support from the Scottish Government.

The association says that operators have been forced to rely on small closure grants for their clubs, worth up to £3,000 per month to cover the costs of bills, rent, utilities and employment costs.

In total, it is estimated that the sector has lost more than £80 million in revenue in the past 10 months, with the smaller, independent, clubs facing particular hardship.

Mike Watret, operations director at Carlton Bingo Dunfermline, told the Press: "It feels as though we aren't being listened to.

"I think everybody recognises the role bingo plays in the local community, especially among the older customers, particularly female and people who live on their own.

"It has a positive role to play but it isn't being backed up by funding to support that.

"When we did open from August to November, the staff had some positivity and customers felt safe coming to our Dunfermline venue.

"It feels a bit unfair the position we're in.

"Some people come once a month or once a week, and it's a safe environment where people can meet friends.

"We have made efforts to contact customers over the phone to make sure they are okay and we want to be there for them when this is all over."

Figures from Carlton Bingo Dunfermline shows that more than 30,000 customers have joined the club and 11,000 local people visited the hall in the year up to March 2020.

The venue had been permitted to operate between August 24 and November 12, at which point they were told they had to close for two weeks under emergency restrictions – they have since been unable to re-open due to Fife and mainland Scotland entering into level 4 of coronavirus restrictions.

The Bingo Association in Scotland is urging the Scottish Government to make discretionary funding, like that offered to hospitality, cinemas and nightclubs, to the bingo industry.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We understand that all businesses face significant difficulties during the pandemic and we are committed to providing continued assistance, within our limited resources.

“Bingo halls are eligible for 100 per cent non-domestic rates relief in 2020-21 and our Strategic Framework Business Fund further pays monthly grants of up to £3,000 for businesses required by law to close.

“Earlier this month, the finance secretary also announced an additional top-up payment for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses – including bingo halls – which in some cases doubles or triples the amount of support we are providing.

“Since the start of the pandemic, our support for business and the economy has reached almost £3 billion – more than a third of our total coronavirus (COVID-19) funding, demonstrating our commitment to provide as much help as we possibly can."