Listen to this article:Real Fun Group Ltd has given its presence in the UK bingo market a massive boost with the acquisition of eight UK bingo clubs together with their freeholds from Majestic Bingo, which entered administration on 7 July 2023.
The purchase of the clubs takes the group’s portfolio to 10 across England and Wales. Furthermore, it has safeguarded the jobs of 140 people who work at the clubs.
While they currently do not offer online bingos, the group’s growth demonstrates their commitment to becoming one of the UK’s largest independent operators.
If you’re interested in playing at online bingo sites, be sure to check our list of recommended sites. Real Fun Group has received backing from a group of experienced entrepreneurs to facilitate the acquisition. The group previously ran two independent bingo clubs and the quintupling of their operations is a true demonstration of their determination to grow into one of the UK’s largest independent operators.
Majestic Bingo’s administration is being overseen by Tim Bateson and Chris Pole from Interpath Advisory as joint administrators. Speaking recently, Bateson, who is also a director at Interpath Advisory, said:
“Having been appointed in July 2023 and traded the business for nearly six months, we are absolutely delighted to have achieved this going concern sale, which not only will see all eight venues continue to trade, but which also both safeguards the employment of 140 people and ensures continuity for the communities which these clubs serve.
We would like to extend our thanks to the many stakeholders who have provided support to the administration team since our appointment, including customers, suppliers and Majestic’s dedicated staff. Their support has enabled us to conclude this transaction which will enable the business to continue under new ownership.”
The CEO of Real Fun Group, Kevin McGinnigle, acknowledged that he and his employees are facing a mountain of work, but overall, he is full of optimism.
“I’m incredibly excited by this opportunity. This was a well-run business that was hit with devastating luck over the last few years, and I can’t wait to work with the team. To sit here today, knowing we’re able to keep so many people in work is an unbelievable feeling.
Undoubtedly, there is a lot of work ahead o and I’m confident we’ve got the right people within the business to make this a huge success for everyone concerned. Coming from a family of bingo players, I’m aware of the role that local bingo clubs play in their community and to get the opportunity to keep these historic clubs open for our customers is just fantastic.”
Staff at the acquired properties are hugely relieved to be keeping their jobs. For example, the club in Worcester on Derwent Close in Brickfields is now able to guarantee its 15-staff job security.
McGinnigle said that a lot of people visit the Brickfields club and that it is the “heart” of the community and that he hopes to “bring the fun back into bingo” by working together with the local community.
Real Fun Group employed the services of Shoosmiths’ Corporate Restructuring & Advisory Team and Sarah Teal, a partner at the firm, said that it was a great pleasure to have been able to help secure the future of bingo clubs and jobs.
The group is now operating clubs in Caernarfon, Camborne, Rhyl, Donnington, Bishop Auckland, Mid Glamorgan, Warndon, Skegness, Belper, and South Shields.
Real Fun Group acquired its first clubs at the start of December 2023. The group acquired Witnall Automatics Ltd, a bingo operator established in 1976 and the previous owner of the clubs in Belper and South Shields.
Those clubs have retained their previous staff and the former has stayed on the team saying, “I’m happy to be part of what looks to be an exciting future. I always said that if the day came to hang up my boots, the clubs would need to fall into a trusted and capable pair of hands.”
At present, there are no plans for Real Fun Group to expand into the world of online bingo, but given the determination shown by McGinnigle, it wouldn’t be too surprising to one day see bingo sites under the group’s logo.
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