Bingo for Cork as 30 new jobs are announced
After he was forced to close the doors of his family business in March, Cork man James Barber looked for new business opportunities - and settled on bingo.
He is now recruiting staff for a new 1,000-seat bingo hall in Cork city.
James and his son Dave hope to open the new €600,000 entertainment venue at the end of October and will employ 30 staff in a variety of roles.
The facility, called 'Rock Bingo', will be located in the old Waters Glass premises in Togher, Cork.
The Barbers will own and manage the business. They have occupied the address for more than 25 years as Waters Glass.
James Barber said: "As an owner of Waters Glass I was devastated in March of this year when we had to close our doors and let so many staff go. At its peak Waters Glass employed 65 people.
"Earlier this year the very unusual idea of a bingo hall was presented to me and eventually after extensive research in Ireland and the UK we decided that there was a big gap in the local market for a safe entertainment centre in Cork city.
"We have committed €600,000 to the project, which is necessary to provide a first-class facility at the premises. Both my sons Steven and Dave will be working in the business alongside my brother Peter."
Dave Barber said: "Standard practice in Ireland for operating a bingo hall is that the club must benefit local charity…We are taking the time to choose worthy local charities that will benefit from the significant funds boost (and) would welcome any local organisations that require funding to contact us."
(Applications can be sent by email to dbarber@rockbingo.ie or by post to Dave Barber, Rock Bingo Club, Togher, Cork.)
