A BINGO hall in Ellesmere Port that has become a community hub and lifeline for elderly people is facing closure.

Customers are now arranging a petition and mounting a campaign in a desperate bid to save Mecca Bingo on Marina Drive.

Led by Ann Auld, 74, some gathered outside their beloved hang-out this afternoon (Tuesday, September 4) in a display of unity and loyalty to the 21 staff who stand to lose their jobs.

Ann told The Standard: “It was awful when we were told – there were grown men in tears. They will have nowhere else to go.

“So many of them go there every day to have their lunch and a pint. It’s a hub in Ellesmere Port for a lot of people. People have been going there for nearly 40 years.”

The hall was a favourite spot of late fundraising hero Billy Birch and his family had arranged to have a life-saving defibrillator machine installed on site in his memory.

But son Mally said they had now been told the venue was closing and they’d have to find a new location for the machine, which is used to help people suffering heart attacks.

“We’re absolutely distraught about this, as are many people,” he said. “To many people this is their way of life. They would come not only to play bingo but to socialise and meet new people.

“My dad felt so at home every time he went to the bingo hall not only to play but he had a real connection with everybody that went there.

“He would be turning in his grave right now, knowing that the club he and so many other people love could close down.”

Despite customers being told Mecca Bingo would be closing, a spokesman for the company said it was not a done deal.

In a statement, he said: “It is with regret that we are reviewing the situation at Mecca Bingo Ellesmere Port.

“We will be working with all our team members in Ellesmere Port over the coming weeks to consider options. No decision has yet been made on the future of the club."

Customers at the bingo hall told our photographer they would be devastated if it closed.

Mary Whitby, 84, who has used the centre since it opened, said: "I play bingo as often as I can and like to come here at least twice a week.

"My sister comes here from Chester because she doesn't like the club there and this one is more friendly. Because it's smaller the staff know everyone's names and they treat us like friends.

"I will be absolutely devastated when it closes because it's one of the highlights of my week."

And Mavis Dudley, 86, added: I'm on my own all the time and this is the only place I can get to and I shall be very upset if it closes down."