FIFTY jobs are set to be created at a huge new bingo club that is set to open in Southampton.

Gala Bingo will open its £5m new club in the city in January and as well as providing a new venue for the city’s veteran bingo players the firm says it wants to attract younger people in too.

The new outlet will be the firm’s first newly built club in nine years and will be the latest addition to the £25m, 180,000sq ft Antelope Park complex in Thornhill.

Antelope Park was built on the former site of the derelict, seven-storey Antelope House building and the regional headquarters of builders merchants Jewson.

A KFC fast food outlet and home and garden retailer The Range have already opened outlets on the nine acre site, while Jewson relocated to a new building at its rear.

Gala Bingo says it is “keeping its commitment to the treasury” in building the new club after the Government announced a reduction of the bingo tax from 20 per cent to 10 per cent last year.

It will feature two separate venues for playing bingo, including a 500-seat main hall for “traditional” players which will be separated from the other area by sound-proof glass.

The firm says it wants to “broaden the brand’s appeal” to “attract a younger, modern day audience”, and the second playing space will be aimed at newer players.

The firm is remaining tight-lipped about exactly what the new facilities will contain , saying it will announce further details later this year.

As well as the playing venues there will also be an arcade full of slot machines, after-hours bingo, a “pub-style” food menu and an outdoor terrace.

A licensing application is currently with the council for the new club.

Gala Bingo managing director Simon Wykes said: “Gala Bingo is delighted to keep to its commitment to the treasury with the construction of a new build club.

“With a total investment of £5 million, the new Southampton club is a first in so many ways for Gala Bingo.

“It’s not only the first, full new build Gala Bingo club in nine years, the new concept caters for all types of bingo players, both regular and new. There is something for everyone.”

Welcoming the news Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said: “Bingo is a relatively safe form of gambling compared to people sitting at home doing it on the internet, so in that context it’s really good to have something that’s going to create so many more jobs at a time when Southampton is doing very well at creating jobs.”

And city council leader Simon Letts, who is also one of the area’s ward councillors, said: “It’s not my sort of thing but I know lots of people like bingo and I’m sure it will be a really welcome addition to the city and the area.

“I am sure it will be very popular and the job opportunities are welcome.”