In the middle of 2016, the Rank Group PLC announced their plans to launch small convenience bars offering digital slots and bingo games, as well as providing food and drink, including alcohol. The initial announcement alluded to these bars appearing in early 2017, but the Rank half-year results statement in December last year stated that they would not be arriving until later in the year. 
Why the delay?
A large reason for the delay to the plans, which were designed to attract spontaneous players from the 18-35 demographic, is the unwillingness of towns and cities to mix drinking and digital gaming in busy parts of towns that contain many bars and clubs. The December 2016 document said: “The Group has made several planning applications to secure sites for the new bingo brand, but to date applications have been rejected. Additional locations have been identified and the Group continues to liaise with landlords to secure the necessary approvals.” 
Proposals
At this point, we know plans have been submitted for The Cube in Leeds, a venue that was previously a club that is situated next to the popular Light centre, famous for shopping and leisure options. There are other proposals, similar to that in Leeds, with councils across the country, and the spending on each venue appears to be strictly controlled, with the spend rumoured to be around £900,000 with 25 jobs being created at each site, which is more or less identical to the quote that was given for what Rank intended to be their flagship first venue In Walsall. With the intention being to call the sites Luda, and remove the word ‘bingo’ from the name completely, these venues are clearly aimed at a new audience for the Rank Group, and sooner or later, it looks like they’re going to arrive.