Canvey Rio bingo hall is re-opened after shock closure

Hundreds of players have rushed back into the Rio Bingo Hall since it re-opened on Canvey following a £60,000 investment from the new owners. 

The long-standing bingo hall closed in May last year, leaving many loyal customers disappointed. 

Attraction - the Rio bingo hall in Furtherwick Road, Canvey (Image: Elliot Deady, Newsquest)

Lifelong islander Yvonne Smith has been playing bingo at Rio since 2005 and was “gutted when it closed”.

“It’s like a community,” the 74-year-old said. “It’s not just a game of bingo to win. Winning is a bonus, but the social aspect is great.”

The bingo hall had previously ditched traditional bingo books in favour of digital tablets.

Eyes down - Jane King, 54, has been playing bingo at Rio for about 15 years (Image: Elliot Deady, Newsquest)

Yvonne added: “A lot of people stopped coming when it became electronic. I’m glad I’ve got my books back.”

Another member, Jane King, thinks the relaunched attraction is “great”.

The 54-year-old Canvey resident said: “I was gutted when it closed, not only for myself but also for all the older people because it completely cut them off.”

'We're keeping up with the times'

Rio re-opened after a £60,000 investment to get the bingo hall ready to welcome back customers.

Top team - manager Tracy Barnard and owner Paul Austin-Roberts (Image: Elliot Deady, Newsquest)

Bingo boss Paul Austin-Roberts has worked in the industry for more than 15 years, rising through the ranks from giving out change to working as an operations manager for big bingo brands.

He is running Rio alongside his wife, Rebecca, and his dad, Anthony Roberts.

“When this closed, me, my wife, and my father saw the opportunity and just went for it,” he said.

Time for fun - Tracy and Paul with bingo caller Steve Burton (Image: Elliot Deady / Newsquest)

The family recruited long-term Rio customer Tracy Barnard, who has been playing bingo at the site since she was 13 years old, to manage the business.

She says bingo is attracting a broader fanbase than ever before, with events like Bongo’s Bingo, which has become a worldwide phenomenon with a mix of bingo, dance-offs, and silly moments, opening it up to younger generations.

The 46-year-old said: “It used to be considered an older person’s game but lots of different people are coming in so clearly it’s not any more.

“It’s like how back in the day people said cruises were for old people but it’s no longer classed as that. Everyone needs to keep up with the times.”