THE company in charge of a bingo hall in Caernarfon has entered administration.

Apollo Caernarfon, on Crown Street, is one of eight UK venues run by independent retail bingo operator Majestic Bingo facing an uncertain future.

Interpath Advisory has been appointed as its administrators, with 143 jobs under threat.

Majestic Bingo also has sites in Rhyl, Cornwall, Donnington, Bishop Auckland, Tonypandy, Worcester and Skegness.

The joint administrators will continue to trade the business, and all eight venues remain open while options for a sale of the business and its assets are explored.

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

A statement from Majestic Bingo read: “Tim Bateson and Chris Pole, of Interpath Advisory, were appointed as joint administrators of Majestic Bingo Ltd on July 7.

“The affairs, business and property of the company is being managed by the joint administrators.

“The joint administrators act as agents of the company and contract without personal liability.

“The company is currently continuing to trade in administration.”

Eric Howell, operations director at Majestic Bingo, added: “The administrators are working hard in the background, trying to secure a sale of the business.

“While I can’t say much more on that at this point, I know there has been lots of interest in the business and so I’m hoping a way forward will be found.”

Interpath added that Majestic Bingo was “adversely impacted” by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, which caused significant reductions in admissions from which it has since failed to fully recover.

In its latest accounts, for the year ending December 31, 2021, Majestic recorded a £6.6million turnover - down from £7.3m a year earlier - and its pre-tax losses grew from £706,000 to £833,000.

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

Tim Bateson, joint administrator, added: “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.”