MBE For Bingo Boss

Tagged as: Bingo Blog | by Hollie Sanders

Norman Jacobs, the bingo entrepreneur has recently made the Queen’s MBE list. This gentleman who has been active in the entertainment industry his entire life, formed the Jacobs Theatre Leisure Group when he was in his late twenties and he has been going at it ever since. His is an Icon of entertainment in the UK and his MBE does not come undeserved. When he formed his theatre group he began to purchase old theaters. It was a natural progression that he would turn some of these old theatres into bingo halls and even today, he still runs bingo halls and cinemas in Wisbech, Bury St. Edmunds and Fakenham.

I can only take my hat of to this old gentleman, he is way past retirement age and still running bingo halls. I recon and always have that bingo definitely keeps you young. Originally he was a concert promoter and through the years he signed up many popular acts. These include Ken Dodd, do you remember him, Ken Dodd and the Diddymen, I certainly do! Tom Jones, of “Its Not Unusual” fame and the Hollies! He apparently turned down the Beatles because he thought they were too expensive. He has also set up ice skating rinks.

Normans bingo hall in Wisbech, the Empire at Wisbech, is still going strong (thank goodness), but unfortunately the club he ran in March (the town) was sold earlier this year. I certainly hope that it didn’t fall prey to the hungry UK developers’ bulldozers! He has been awarded the MBE for his services to business and charity. I fitting end I think for a true gentleman in my opinion, who knows the value of a game of bingo for the community in which he lives.

P.S. In true bingo style, he was really amazed to be awarded the MBE, he just didn’t expect it!