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Smokers need a bit of nannying
• I COULD not disagree more with Jonathan Thurgood (Ban means jobs go up in smoke, March 2).
The ban on smoking in public places is the best thing this government has done and the more draconian its implementation the better.
Essex Road Mecca bingo hall will not be forced to close as a result. If its owners care about the well-being of staff and customers they will cheerfully implement the ban.
Those who are desperate for a job will take whatever they can get, even if they have to inhale other people’s noxious smoke every day, and those who are desperate for a cigarette need a very strict nanny (state) to help them beat their deadly addiction.
In 10 years’ time we will be surprised that we ever considered it acceptable for people to smoke in public venues.
ANNE-MARIE GRANT
Alwyne Villas, N1
• MY friends who go to Mecca bingo hall have told me attendances have been going down for a long time, mostly due to the Lottery and older people dying off. Obviously, Mecca wants to sell it to property developers.
I bet Jonathan Thurgood has never been inside a bingo hall.
LAURENCE HATCH
Rotherfield Street, N1
• IT’S very sad to read that Rank wants to close Mecca bingo hall in Essex Road.
I’ve enjoyed visiting in the past and it’s always been a well-loved local institution.
Maybe Rank doesn’t realise how popular or well-loved the bingo hall is among generations of residents or maybe it doesn’t care.
There’s a bad trend in what’s happening to bingo. The government is encouraging super-casinos instead, and the bingo firms are promoting online bingo over the internet.
But these are all about the companies and the taxman making money. It’s got nothing to do with the socialising and fun which is at the heart of traditional bingo.
I have written to Rank asking them not to close the Essex Road bingo hall, and also asking for a delay in making a final decision until it sees how the smoking ban works out in practice.
If Rank doesn’t want to operate the bingo hall, it should be sold as a going concern to someone who does.
And if Rank doesn’t want to maintain the former cinema building, it should consider running bingo nights at another Islington venue.
There are a lot of loyal bingo customers in Islington. Rank should show some loyalty too, not just walk away.
BRIDGET FOX
Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate, Islington South and Finsbury |
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