Your Press
Get in touch: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting YORK to 80360 or send an email »
Mecca bosses submit bid for 'smoking shelter'
10:28am Thursday 18th January 2007
Comments (73)BINGO hall bosses hope it won't be "13, unlucky for some" when councillors discuss an application for a smoking shelter.
Rank Gaming Group, which operates the Mecca bingo hall in Fishergate, York, has submitted a planning application for a bus shelter-style smoking area at the front of the building.
The shelter, which would measure 25 square metres and take up two car parking spaces, would be built out of aluminium.
Dan Waugh, director of investor relations at Rank, said: "The reason we've applied for this is that there is a smoking ban coming into effect in July and we want to make sure our customers who smoke are able to enjoy their bingo in comfort."
Mr Waugh confirmed Rank is concerned about what affect the ban will have on business. Mecca bingo halls have around 1.1 million customers nationwide and, on average, between 45 and 50 per cent of them smoke.
In Scotland, where the smoking ban was introduced last March, Mr Waugh said in the first eight months there had been a 15 per cent drop in revenue year-on-year.
He said: "Over the past year in Scotland we've been trying to understand why we're being impacted. It's not as much about people not coming but people going outside smoking and not playing bingo.
"We expect to be better prepared in England but, even so, it's a major concern for the business."
He said the drop in revenue has come because at the end of each half-hour session of the main game there is a 20-minute break.
Most smokers use this time to have a cigarette and this stops them playing smaller bingo games which take place during the interval.
A spokesman for Clifton Bingo And Social Club declined to comment about the situation.
Rank's application for a smoking shelter mirrors what pubs in the city have also been doing.
As reported in The Press recently, the Bootham Tavern, in Bootham, has applied for permission to install an awning at the front of the pub and others are expected to follow suit.
There have also been warnings some licensees could go bankrupt because of the new regulations.
Your Say YourYork Press
knock at the door, says...
11:38am Thu 18 Jan 07
or the sight of 20 bingo callers crammed into a bus stop dragging on their berkeleys :o)
shocked, says...
11:42am Thu 18 Jan 07
And before you ask I dont smoke
Bunter, says...
11:46am Thu 18 Jan 07
Most of you will be thankful of smokers one day with all the money they contribute to the NHS in tax
Less smokers = less burden on the NHS = less tax needed
Jimbob, says...
11:48am Thu 18 Jan 07
I agree, nothing worse than fag butts all over the place.
or the sight of 20 bingo callers crammed into a bus stop dragging on their berkeleys :o)
Oh your poor little eyes, having to witness somebody smoking must be so distressnig for you!
Do you even appreciate what they mean by the front? There's a clue in the fact that it will take up 2 parking spaces. It's not going to be on the footpath is it Brainiacs!
Personally, I'd like to see 20 anti-smoking hardliners crammed into a bus shelter. So I could set it on fire!
Surely you can think of better things to moan about than curbing other peoples life choices.
Two fat ladies, says...
11:49am Thu 18 Jan 07
Jimbob, says...
11:51am Thu 18 Jan 07
Less smokers = less burden on the NHS = less tax needed
Indeed, then the Government can use the extra cash to update our nuclear capabilities. Sweet!
Or were you foolishly thinking you might end up paying less tax? Ha ha ha ha ha.
knock at the door, says...
11:53am Thu 18 Jan 07
I'm not liking your aggresive manner.
Jimbob, says...
11:55am Thu 18 Jan 07
Do you go to bingo?
knock at the door, says...
11:57am Thu 18 Jan 07
Jimbob, says...
12:03pm Thu 18 Jan 07
I'm sick of the anti-smoking lobby moaning about any attempt to allow people that wish to smoke to do so in at least some sort of comfortable environment.
knock at the door, says...
12:07pm Thu 18 Jan 07
For the pure reason I like to wind people up.
Stick that in your pipe and smoke it ..
add another nail into your coffin
Oh and one more thing I'm an ex smoker..
ha ha ha
good day to you
Jimbob, says...
12:10pm Thu 18 Jan 07
I don't mind the odd pipe now and again so thankyou.
Lambert's Butler, says...
12:10pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Bunter, says...
12:13pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Or were you foolishly thinking you might end up paying less tax? Ha ha ha ha ha.
No tool, I was correctly saying that if smokers aren't using the NHS for their smoking related illnesses then in theory their tax is no longer needed off of cigarettes to pay for the resulting treatment.
Jimbob, says...
12:13pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Does your boss know you're a quitter?
Jimbob smokes willy, says...
12:15pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Good on you mate, whatever brightens up your obviously dull little life. Enjoy.
I don't mind the odd pipe now and again so thankyou.
Coming from the man who apparently goes to Bingo!
Antony, says...
12:15pm Thu 18 Jan 07
DD, says...
12:17pm Thu 18 Jan 07
This smoking ban wouldn't work if there was a mass revolt and people just continued smoking. How will the police prioritise calls after 1st July? Mmm, there's an armed robbery going on in town or should we first respond to an old lady lighting up a Superking at Mecca?!
The fact that premises get fined some ludicrous amount per smoker in fines might just make the system work
I like a fight, says...
12:17pm Thu 18 Jan 07
knock at the door, says...
12:18pm Thu 18 Jan 07
I can't thank you enough
:o)
Sid, says...
12:21pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Bunter wrote:Though arguably if less people smoked they'd live longer and undoubtedly drain resources on free bus pases, fuel allowances and other illnesses that the NHS still deal with.
Or were you foolishly thinking you might end up paying less tax? Ha ha ha ha ha.No tool, I was correctly saying that if smokers aren\'t using the NHS for their smoking related illnesses then in theory their tax is no longer needed off of cigarettes to pay for the resulting treatment.
Choice debate doesn't wash either. If I'm a non-smoker I don't have a choice if someone lights up nect to me. At least providing a space for the habit gives the smoker a choice of not smoking for a bit or having a quick one in little comfort.
Jimbob, says...
12:21pm Thu 18 Jan 07
off of
Good use of the English language there Shakespeare!
Then the tax from their cigarette will not be needed. TOOL!
And my point was: Do you honestly believe YOU'LL see any benefit from that?
knock at the door, says...
12:21pm Thu 18 Jan 07
knock at the door, says...
12:25pm Thu 18 Jan 07
I see your point. However, please don't get me started about Jade Goody.
It angers me that it is the publics fault that she has all this fame and money.
The foul mouthed racist scum.
GRRRRR
Jimbob, says...
12:26pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Choice debate doesn't wash either. If I'm a non-smoker I don't have a choice if someone lights up nect to me.
While your point is correct (in the street). You'd only have yourself to blame if you choose to stand in a smoking shelter outside a bingo hall!
Bunter, says...
12:27pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Did I say my name was Shakespeare?! Is this a spelling and grammer competition?! Bet you also enter spelling bees to pass the time as well as bingo don't you "Jimbob"!
Oh and no . . . there's no benefit to my point but it neutralises the need for the tax "OFF OF" their cigarettes.
Confucius, says...
12:31pm Thu 18 Jan 07
"Smoking NOT nice.
If girlfriend or housewife starts smoking, please slow down and use a lubricant."
Jimbob, says...
12:33pm Thu 18 Jan 07
So what if I do smoke willy, are you a Homophobe (someone that doesn't like guys). Wouldn't want to confuse your tiny mind.
T, says...
12:39pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Jimbob wrote:no one is trying to curb your life choices, it just we dont all want to see people putting themselves into an early grave and choosing to take a habit that will most likely see them needing NHS care and spending vital funds that could be spent on someone who by no fault of their own has become ill!
I agree, nothing worse than fag butts all over the place. or the sight of 20 bingo callers crammed into a bus stop dragging on their berkeleys :o)Oh your poor little eyes, having to witness somebody smoking must be so distressnig for you! Do you even appreciate what they mean by the front? There's a clue in the fact that it will take up 2 parking spaces. It's not going to be on the footpath is it Brainiacs! Personally, I'd like to see 20 anti-smoking hardliners crammed into a bus shelter. So I could set it on fire! Surely you can think of better things to moan about than curbing other peoples life choices.
Tough, says...
12:48pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Dan Waugh, director of investor relations at Rank, said: "The reason we've applied for this is that there is a smoking ban coming into effect in July and we want to make sure our customers who smoke are able to enjoy their bingo in comfort."
Tough ****, let them go bust like the pubs and clubs will. driven out of business by the ant-smoking fascists.
And I don't smoke!
knock at the door, says...
12:49pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Have you ever been to Edinburgh, or Dublin, the pubs and clubs are still packed.
The Cynic, says...
12:51pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Less smokers = less burden on the NHS = less tax needed
Meanwhile, back in the real world ...
J, says...
12:51pm Thu 18 Jan 07
The fact is smokers generate a huge amount of cash and the minor increase on spending on the nhs this causes is more than covered by the duty and by them dieing early and leaving money in the pension fund. Despite the rhetoric, the government needs smokers to keep smoking and keep dieing.
Sid, says...
12:52pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Jimbob wrote:True...but at least it would be my choice!! And as up to 50% of people would be there, that's where the party's at...
I don\'t go to bingo either, but my family do and they all smoke.Choice debate doesn\'t wash either. If I\'m a non-smoker I don\'t have a choice if someone lights up nect to me.While your point is correct (in the street). You\'d only have yourself to blame if you choose to stand in a smoking shelter outside a bingo hall!
knock at the door, says...
12:54pm Thu 18 Jan 07
The government love the revenue that smokers bring in.
Bunter, says...
12:55pm Thu 18 Jan 07
(someone that doesn't like guys).
I like guys i just don't like their willies!
colin O scopy, says...
1:10pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Rockin Ronni, says...
1:17pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Do we make Heroin shelter to stop them getting rained on - do we F*C*!
Father Jack, says...
1:17pm Thu 18 Jan 07
knock at the door wrote:Then we should ban the evil drink too. Of course the pubs there are full - they are all alcoholics.
Tough
Have you ever been to Edinburgh, or Dublin, the pubs and clubs are still packed.
Evil, evil drink.
DRINK!
Humpty, says...
1:18pm Thu 18 Jan 07
shocked wrote:Smokers take far more out of the NHS than they contribute in tax/duty on their cigarettes. Moron.
Why the **** should it be round the back, there smoking not sacrificing lambs. For god sake I think that the whole not smoking in public has gone too far. Give them a break. Most of you will be thankful of smokers one day with all the money they contribute to the NHS in tax. And before you ask I dont smoke
David, says...
1:19pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Its dirty and vile and needs to be stopped.
J, says...
1:28pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Humpty wrote:No they don't humpty. Do your research.
shocked wrote:Smokers take far more out of the NHS than they contribute in tax/duty on their cigarettes. Moron.
Why the **** should it be round the back, there smoking not sacrificing lambs. For god sake I think that the whole not smoking in public has gone too far. Give them a break. Most of you will be thankful of smokers one day with all the money they contribute to the NHS in tax. And before you ask I dont smoke
Rockin Ronni, says...
1:34pm Thu 18 Jan 07
All the kings men, says...
1:35pm Thu 18 Jan 07
J, says...
1:41pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Jimbob, says...
1:49pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Do we make Heroin shelter to stop them getting rained on - do we F*C*!
I think you'll find there are Country wide Government initiatives to provide a safe environments for heroin addicts to shoot up. Along with the provision of clean needles and areas in some major pharmacies where methadone (a heroin substitute can be taken in peace).
Just thought you should know.
bingolad, says...
1:52pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Clap Trap, says...
1:53pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Would you be more shocked if people were smoking whilst sacrificing lambs out the front of the bingo hall, or not?
I think it would show callousness beyond belief.
I would actually be more shocked if they were smoking and sacrificing cats...or dogs...or fellow bingowees.
As an aside, does anyone take their own dobbers to Bingo? Like people do with snooker cues to snooker halls?
As a further aside, can anyone think of any other "halls" where leisure pursuits are carried out?
A, says...
1:55pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Jimbob, says...
1:58pm Thu 18 Jan 07
With regards to the comments by Shocked (if indeed that is your real name).
Wins the award for best commment so far!
Sports hall? (rather generic I know).
Morrissey the consumer monkey, says...
2:02pm Thu 18 Jan 07
How about a pool hall Clap trap. Snooker Hall. Stuart Hall (presents sport)
Father Jack, says...
2:04pm Thu 18 Jan 07
As a further aside, can anyone think of any other "halls" where leisure pursuits are carried out?
Halls of Residence for bonking students.
Village Halls for the tea and crumpet brigade (apologies in advance Mrs Doyle).
Jimbob, says...
2:05pm Thu 18 Jan 07
The majority of my family that attend Mecca bingo take their own dobbers. Some of which are considered "lucky dobbers".
Father Jack, says...
2:06pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Stuart Hall (presents sport)
Can you hold leisure activities inside Stuart Hall?
Hold on, don't answer that one.
Robert Marley, says...
2:06pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Jimbob, says...
2:08pm Thu 18 Jan 07
You won't hear me complaining. Where do you drink? I'll see you later.
deb, says...
2:10pm Thu 18 Jan 07
J wrote:The treasury may collect £7 billion but how much of it goes to the NHS?
The most recent figures I can find and these come from the heath secretary not some pro smoking group like ash or forest is that the cost to the nhs of treating smoking related illnesses is £1.7 billion pounds. Figures from the treasury on the amount of revenue from tobacco is £7 billion. Add to that the amount that is saved on the pensions by people who have paid into the system and then kark it prematurely. All you non-smokers out there should be glad that their dirty dangerous habit is saving you from the equivalent of an income tax rise of 6 - 8 pence in the pound. Or maybe you would all be happy to do that for the sake of the 20000 people that die every year from tobacco related illnesses. When it comes to the crunch i doubt all you fervent anti smokers would actually be willing to make the sacrifice.
Jimbob, says...
2:13pm Thu 18 Jan 07
The treasury may collect £7 billion but how much of it goes to the NHS?
A very good point but that's down to the Government and not the smoker. It still stands that they contribute more than they are likely to cost.
Clap Trap, says...
2:15pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Can you think of any leisure "halls" as that seemed to be going quite well?
Father Jack, says...
2:25pm Thu 18 Jan 07
The treasury may collect £7 billion but how much of it goes to the NHS?
£3.67
Peter Halls - a colleague of mine with an expansive beard which could be used for summer fetes possibly?
Sid, says...
3:12pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Concert Halls...
Music Halls...
If that's your soon to be smoke free bag...
Halls Menthol (other decongestant sweets are available) could help your enjoyment of leisure to...
Raff, says...
4:34pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Rockin Ronni wrote:Bet you drive a car though don't you and no-one complains about
Well said Colin. Why should anyone have to make special arrangements just because some people got addicted to a foul disgusting habit and haven't got the will power to stop. Do we make Heroin shelter to stop them getting rained on - do we F*C*!
getting polluted by that? Far more likely to rot your lungs than a bit of passive smoking!
Jimbob, says...
4:40pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Geoff, says...
4:42pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Bet you drive a car though don't you and no-one complains about
getting polluted by that? Far more likely to rot your lungs than a bit of passive smoking!
Tell that to Roy Castle!
Jimbob, says...
4:48pm Thu 18 Jan 07
I wonder how many people have died from illnesses caused by traffic pollution? I'm not aware of any statistics though (I doubt they would be easy to collate) but cars just don't pollute. When was the last time you heard of a hit and run fatality caused by someone driving a cigarette?
PhilB, says...
5:11pm Thu 18 Jan 07
PhilB, says...
5:13pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Little Wils, says...
5:25pm Thu 18 Jan 07
J, says...
5:28pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Little Wils wrote:No. Who?
i've just read through all the comments on this subject and I think you all have a point. I am a smoker (trying to quit by July 1st) and basically it all boils down to one thing...MONEY !! Those that spend it on fags and suffer the consequences and those that reap the rewards i.e the taxman..AND WE ALL KNOW WHO PROFITS AT THE END OF THE DAY, DON'T WE !!!
Twaddle goody, says...
7:23pm Thu 18 Jan 07
Would the PC do gooders like me to be a heroin addict - there is even talk that they will supply heroin addicts with free gear, so why not me with free fags. Why? Oh I might be taking heroin because I am disadvantaged or couldnt cope so its not my fault I'm addicted.
A roomful of gigarrette smoke will kill in 40 maybe 50 years, a roomful of some other gases CO2 NO2 etc will kill us a lot more quickly.
Cigarrettes are a legal commodity - as is alcohol- they are not illegal. The government profits from tax paid - so why dont they allow the responsible smokers to smoke - as long as we dont contaminate (God Forbid the Health Freaks) I mean goody goody Brigade who have nothing better to do than to tell us how to live our lives.
Wait until we are not allowed any fat in our food, ban beefburgers, fish and chips - make us all eat rabbit food, and then not allowing us to act like rabbits why because we might enjoy it.
I've enjoyed my rant what about my human rights to be able to smoke, as long as I dont affect anyone else - and before you start about butt ends I always put mine down a drain - why not I pay council tax and water rates and another thing what about chewing gum its even more disgusting than fag ends when its on the pavement.
Pervy Simon, says...
8:00pm Thu 18 Jan 07
All that sweaty flesh glistening and pressed up against the perspex! Throw in a fudge packer and you would be looking at Fagg butts!
Stressed, says...
8:19pm Thu 18 Jan 07
In this section
- York Minster fire remembered
- Violence victim demands former York prison officer be sent to jail
- Two new cases of swine flu in York
- Council defends fitness record as study reveals number of obese youngsters has risen
- Muggers attack woman in Monkbar car park
- Heston Blumenthal draws up menu for revamped A64 Little Chef
- Royal Mail urged to keep York postmark
- York civic leaders in council house rent subsidy cash plea
- Father Christmas spotted in York – 168 days before December 25
- Service of thanksgiving to mark York Minster fire
Sponsored Links
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
legs 11, says...
11:27am Thu 18 Jan 07