The Rank group announced it would spend an extra £2 million on improving its Mecca Bingo gaming facilities, in readiness for the upcoming smoking ban. Chief executive Ian Burke said that the company would use the money to focus on the “changing needs of the customers”, adding that it would be adapt its product accordingly.

Rank will develop outside gaming facilities for around 80 per cent of its bingo estate, which Burke said would be a rolling programme. The investment in the new outside facilities is not expected to materially add to the group’s projected annual capital spend of between £50 million and £60 million this year.

“The initiatives we are introducing are designed to make sure that our customer’s experience of bingo is enhanced rather than impaired by the smoking ban,” he commented, “with consistently attractive prize boards, the development of electronic bingo products and the creation of outside enclosures where customers can continue to play bingo”.

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