AHEAD of reopening halls in England this May, Mecca Bingo has announced a pledge to be a safe space for everyone, be it a passerby who needs a rest or someone who needs help.

In its 60th year, teams across the bingo company's 72 clubs want to share the message that anyone can walk into a Mecca Bingo hall and know that it is a place where they can feel comfortable and secure as well as somewhere they will always find a friendly face.

Mecca Bingo has clubs across the North-East and North Yorkshire, including Gateshead, Hartlepool, Scarborough, Stockton, Sunderland and York.

Whether a customer already attending a venue, or a passer-by seeking help, Mecca is building on this commitment with a three-step pledge.

The first step is to provide somewhere quiet to sit for as long as needed. The next stage is to offer to make a call to a friend or family member, or in more serious situations, the emergency services. And third, is to help someone get home safely, assisting with making travel plans if needed.

John Dyson, operations director at Mecca Bingo, said: “At Mecca, we pride ourselves on being a safe space for all – that includes customers, local residents and anyone who passes by one of our clubs.

“Whatever the situation, our doors are open and there will always be a friendly face at Mecca."

While Mecca Bingo halls are licensed premises and should not be frequented by under 18s, in a moment of need or exceptional circumstances, the company says clubs are accessible to all for support.