BINGO players have dabbed their cards one final time and called their last house as a Westbourne venue permanently closes its doors.

Grand Bingo on Poole Road has now shut up shop after around 40 years of lines, four corners, upside down pyramids and big cash prizes.

Owner and manager Simon Bartlam, 54, said declining profits have made the business no longer financially viable.

Numbers have dwindled from more than 2000 to under 600 people a week in recent years, though 104 people turned up for the last ever afternoon session on Saturday.

Mr Bartlam said: “I feel very sad about it, it has been my life.

“It was emotional up there today. People who I haven’t seen for years have turned up. I wish they came more often, then we wouldn’t have to be doing this.

“The people that have come here all these years are what has kept this place going. We’ve tried to keep it going for them, but at a cost to me that, as a small independent, I can’t afford to finance any longer.

“Hearing people say they’re going to miss it does make this decision harder, but you have to be realistic. I’ve been sentimental for the past couple of years and I should have really done something a couple of years ago.

“It’s sad but we’ve had a great time and it’s been a great 40 years.”

The venue has been in Mr Bartlam’s family since 1977, with various technological advances said to be among the reasons for the decline in profits.

“I was here as a 16-year-old kid, but the business has changed so much in that time.

“With online gaming, the smoking ban, and unfortunately a lot of our customers have passed away and you don’t replace them. There’s more to do now than there was in the 70’s and 80’s.

“We’re down to 600 people a week and we just can’t survive.”

The historic building has been sold to property group Elliot Heron, though Mr Bartlam does not know what is to become of the former cinema.

He added: “Hopefully they’re building up a new lease of life.

“Looking on the bright side, maybe it’s a good thing. It’s been 50 years a cinema, 40 years bingo, what’s next for it?

“We’ve done our bit, now somebody else can come along and do it.”

Edna Tiller, 81, who has been coming to Grand Bingo "every night" for the last 35 years said it was very sad and she would miss the company

She said of the closure: “The indoor smoking ban killed the business to start with, but electronics have finished it off.

“With online gambling and everything you’re on your own, and if I can’t play by hand I’d rather go without.”

Bill Taylor, 101, from Boscombe, is another Grand Bingo stalwart. He said: “I’ve been coming here for donkeys years and I’m going to miss it.

“Everyone knows everyone and there’s a real sense of community. I’ll miss all the people.

“I’ve been to a few other bingo events locally but none are as good as here, the staff are wonderful.”

Sacha Woodford, who has worked at Grand Bingo for eight-and-a-half years, said: “Everything in life comes to an end, but it’s a bit sad.

“The manager has been a lovely person to work for and I actually enjoy coming to work.

“I don’t think I’ll be as happy in my new job as I am here.”