FIND A JOB IN HOSPITALITY
No. At Mecca we are now officially called bingo hosts. The main part of the job is still hosting the sessions, calling and controlling the games in play. But, in between games, I am chatting to members, having a laugh and helping people new to the game to get to grips with it. From when I left school at 16, I was a cinema projectionist opposite where I work now. My Dad was a projectionist too and films were in the blood.
It was my dream world. I worked there right up until it closed in 1986, and then I walked across the road to the bingo hall. Not any more – it’s not PC to use those these days. But I still love two little ducks, 22, which gets everyone shouting out quack quack.
I still use a lot of banter, but it’s more about our Sally in Corrie being in prison
Mark loves life as bingo caller
or I’m a Celebrity. Back in the day I used to pull out individual balls, but now it is electronic and the numbers come up on a vast screen.
The game has changed so much. You still get the experts with six books which they might play upside down for a challenge, but more and more use the max boards which can even fill in the numbers automatically if you want. It’s all about timing and ensuring customers enjoy themselves and a have fun, entertaining and memorable experience. Confidence is key, also a good set of ears. A sense of humour is crucial too. A lot of the members have become like an extended family, and some of the friends I’ve made are now even bringing their children along to play. The very first member who said hello to me when I started was a lady called Edna. She is still playing at 88 and I’ve named her Dame Edna. One member is 97 and has been playing forever.
She still gets the bus in. I always keep an eye out for regulars. We celebrate birthdays and, if they haven’t been in for a while, we get in touch. You bet. The hall looks like Santa’s grotto and we have our annual Christmas lunch looming. Needless to say we keep playing bingo throughout. Because of my love of cinema, every six weeks I do a late-night slot on BBC Radio Merseyside. Myself and a couple of other presenters talk about movies, cinema days gone by and anything to do with the entertainment business.
I was terrified the first time I did it but once we went on air the nerves left and I just got on with it. Get your foot in the door of the hospitality industry and one role can lead to another.
From clubs, cruise ships, hotels and restaurants to events and pubs, we have found 30,320 relevant jobs. At fish4jobs.co.uk we found 1,987 in hospitality including a security manager at a Blackpool bingo hall (£10.50 per hour), an entertainments manager in Lincoln (£27,831), an event sales assistant in London (up to £24,000) and an entertainment travel production manager in London (£32,000 to £37,000). When we checked gov.uk/ jobsearch we found 7,354 hospitality and catering jobs. These range from a customer service assistant at a bingo hall in Boston (£7.83 per hour) and an events officer in Harrogate (£23,000 to £25,000) to a marketing manager for Butlin’s in Bognor Regis and Redcoats in the Skegness resort (salary on application). Also try caterer.com which has 20,244 jobs, including 7,632 in hotels and 4,144 events roles. Meanwhile getingofar.gov.uk has 693 hospitality apprenticeships. Check out The Rank Group (rank. com/en/careers) which includes Mecca. There are 42 vacancies including team members at bingo clubs around the country.
How did you end up at Mecca’s door?
Is it still Legs 11 and two fat ladies 88?
What skills do you need for the job?
After 30 years you must know some of regulars
Do you “do” Christmas?
Any sidelines?
■ Hospitality Guild: hospitalityguild. co.uk
■ Springboard: careerscope.uk.net ■ Mecca Bingo: meccabingo.com