Administrators have been appointed at an entertainment company that owns a bingo hall in County Durham - leaving 143 jobs in jeopardy.

Majestic Bingo which operates eight sites across the country - including the Hippodrome in Bishop Auckland - has been unable to recover from the impact of the Covid pandemic.

It was announced this afternoon (July 7) that Tim Bateson and Chris Pole from Interpath Advisory have been appointed joint administrators to Majestic Bingo Limited.

Majestic's venue on Railway Street in Bishop Auckland employs 143 people.

The building was opened as a theatre in 1909 by a consortium headed by Signor Rino Pepi, the Italian impresario who had seven Hippodromes across the north.

It later became a cinema and has been a bingo hall since 1966. Many of its original features have survived and is considered a great survivor from a lost age of entertainment.

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According to documents released today, the historically profitable company was impacted by lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused significant reductions in admissions, which have since failed to fully recover.

More recently, the cost-of-living crisis and the fall in disposable incomes seen across the UK since late 2021 has also adversely impacted the business, according to the announcement.

A statement from the administrators added: "Consequently, the financial performance and position of the group has declined in recent years, leading the company to experience cashflow challenges.

"As a result, and despite their best endeavours, the directors resolved to place the company into administration."

Following their appointment, the joint administrators will continue to trade the business and all eight venues as a going concern while they explore options for a sale of the business and its assets.

All members of staff have been retained by the administrators to enable trade to continue.

The joint administrators have confirmed that they will honour customers’ Electronic Bingo Terminal (EBT) funds and any valid gift vouchers for the period whilst trading continues.

Majestic’s online business, Majestic Bingo Online Limited, is a separate entity which is not in administration and continues to operate on a solvent basis as usual.

Mr Bateson said: “Majestic is one of the UK’s most recognisable independent bingo operators, but in recent years has seen trading adversely affected by the impact of lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the cost-of-living crisis.

"We will continue to trade the business in the immediate term while we seek a buyer for the business, and would encourage any interested parties to make contact with us as soon as possible.”