BUZZ Bingo in Hereford has closed its doors permanently due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hereford club is one of 26 not reopening as the company restructures its retail business.

CEO of Buzz Bingo, Chris Matthews, said: "While we are planning the phased reopening of our clubs from August 6, as many of you will understand, with our clubs closed since March 21, coronavirus has had a significant impact on our business and on the entire leisure and hospitality industry.

"We have therefore had to make some difficult decisions about how we move forward and ensure that we protect the future of Buzz Bingo.

"It is, therefore, with sadness that I need to share with you that 26 of our clubs will not reopen.

"Our Buzz Bingo community means the world to us, and we know how disappointing this news will be, especially for those of our customers who are losing their local club, and of course, our colleagues.

"We know that we are more than just a club, we are part of your community, and for that, I am really sorry.

"We could never have expected this outcome when we closed our doors on March 21, but the coronavirus crisis is a completely one-off event.

"The decision to restructure our club portfolio is the right way to secure our long-term future and make sure that we can still bring bingo to our customers in the majority of our clubs around the country and online at buzzbingo.com."

A post on the Buzz Bingo Hereford Facebook page said: "Today is a very sad day. I’m so sorry to all you customers that I’ve seen over the last couple weeks we only found out ourselves this morning

"I feel for you all that you now have nowhere in Hereford to go to socialise and have a bit of fun especially those that came to see us as family and visited us as they only bit of social activity

"We are truly going to miss each and everyone of you and we are so thankful and appreciative of all your support over the years

"Please take care of yourselves and your families. Once again we thank you all."

The other branches closing are Chatham, Salford, Salisbury, Antelope Park, Banbury, Boston, Bridlington, Carlisle, Chorley, Cramlington, Derby Foresters, Edinburgh Westerhailes, Harpurhey, Bournemouth, Kilmarnock, Milton Keynes, Oxford Kassam, Stockland Green, Tamworth, Wednesbury, Weymouth, Wigan Robin Park, Wolverhampton, Worcester and Wythenshawe.