ELLESMERE Port’s MP Justin Madders has been invited to don a hard hat and high vis jacket to see how the town’s new bingo hall is shaping up.

The Standard will be joining him and Club 3000 general manager Kevin Boden for a tour of the building – formerly occupied by Mecca – on Friday afternoon (July 19).

Work has been under way for the last couple of weeks, and the club is on schedule to open in September this year.

Club 3000 is investing a whopping £1.3 million in the site on Marina Drive in a move that came as a welcome surprise to many people.

Dozens of bingo fans had been left devastated when Mecca announced they were closing last October.

The hall had become a valued community asset over the past 40 years and 900 people signed a petition aimed at persuading Mecca to stay.

Club 3000 said the completely refurbished club will not only bring bingo back to the community but would also create much-needed jobs in the area.

Mr Madders said: “It’s really great to see this investment in our local area and I welcome Bingo 3000 to Ellesmere Port.

“I’m sure there are many looking forward to the opening in September and joining the Bingo community, which has been sorely missed by many players. I’m sure they will be impressed with the new facilities.”

Mr Boden, general manager at Club 3000 Ellesmere Port, started his career in Club 3000 in Coatbridge in 2009 and by the time the club opens he will have been with the company for over a decade.

He said: “We are delighted to welcome our local MP down to the new bingo site and for showing his support.

“We’re very much looking forward to opening the doors in September and showing customers the great facilities we will have on offer.”

The membership shop is now open for sign up and is based at the Port Arcades shopping centre.