Bingo! Rank records healthier figures

The firm, which has 103 bingo clubs, reported a 2 per cent hike in spend per visit to its bingo venues during the third quarter after it drove through improvements to the quality of its games, food and drink offering and customer service.

Stronger growth across all its divisions helped overall like-for-like sales rise 7 per cent in the three months to October 3 – and Rank said full year results were now likely to come in at the top end of market forecasts.

Rank's recent turnaround at Mecca comes after it sought to improve the experience for customers and broaden the appeal of bingo through moves such as Full House clubs aimed at younger players.

It drew in more visitors to Mecca clubs for the first time in more than a decade during the half year, although visitor numbers remained flat year-on-year in the third quarter.

The Mecca business has faced a number of headwinds in recent years, including the smoking ban, changes to legislation which restricted money-spinning gaming machines, a harsh tax regime and a squeeze on consumers in the recession.

But Rank said it had delivered "management success" in reviving the chain and now aims to extend its Mecca Full House concept from four to six venues as it relaunches clubs in Dagenham and Southend-on-Sea this autumn.