Mecca Bingo Prepare for No Deal with “Brexit Menu”
- Updated: August 23rd, 2019
As Britain hurtles towards a potential No Deal exit from the European Union, some companies are preparing to mitigate the consequences in inventive ways.
Rank, the gambling group behind Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casino, has announced the roll out of a potential “Brexit Menu.” If supply chains are disrupted in the event of a rupturing no deal exit from the EU, the company will source all their food and beverages from the UK.
The company are one of the few visible British firms who have gone public about the disruption that could occur to their business with No Deal. Most business have been reluctant to discuss contingencies for fear of spooking customers.
The Prawn Identity?
John O’Reilly, the group’s Chief Executive, said “Our Brexit Menu doesn’t rely on foodstuffs coming through ports from the Continent.”
He even goes into detail about how they will achieve this aim. “For example,” he says, “the menu has drinks and all sorts of beers that are UK-brewed as opposed to coming from the continent.”
“…We would use langoustines instead of prawns” he continues, as the former can be sourced in Scotland and from around the UK.”
To try and allay any customer fears, he declares “ The menus are raring to go for both Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos.”
Rank intends to roll out this menu across all 150 of their Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casino locations. The business also has an online presence with these brands, but this currently only makes up around 15% of their £700 million annual revenues.
However, over the last year, Rank acquired digital gaming firm Stride. That means Rank has acquired all of their online brands include Lucky VIP Casino, Regal Wins, Kitty and Give Back Bingo. It is thought that these will double the size of their online business.
More Rank Brexit Woes?
Though the concept of a “Brexit Menu” may seem quite amusing, there are plenty of more serious ways that a No Deal Brexit will affect the business. It’s not just the movement of goods, it will also affect the movement of people.
In Gibraltar, Rank employs over 100 people who commute across the border from Spain every day. The crossing is already fairly taxing and unpredictable due to the ongoing dispute over Gibraltan sovereignty between the UK and Spain. A No Deal Brexit will likely make this an even greater plight.
In addition, Rank’s London Office employs up to 2,500 staff, of which between 500 and 600 are EU nationals. In the event of No Deal, it is not clear how their legal status in the country would be affected. This is especially true as the UK government has announced that freedom of movement will end after the 31st October. Rank says they are doing everything that they can to ensure the status of their EU employees.
Rank is sure not to be the only gambling business affected by a No Deal Brexit. But if it does come to pass, then the question will be “How bad?” The industry waits with baited breath.
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