Positive financial numbers at Carlton Bingo in Inverness

Numbers have picked up for Carlton Bingo in its latest annual accounts.

The Inverness-headquartered firm’s turnover for the year to March 27, 2022 increased by almost
£8 million. Its pre-tax loss also moved into a pre-tax profit.

The business had one week of trading in the year without restrictions relating to the pandemic. It has also faced recruitment challenges.

A strategic report accompanying the accounts stated: “Despite this, the group was able to generate a reasonable profit, demonstrating resilience in the face of the challenges of continued restrictions.”

Turnover rose from £2,059,039 in 2020/21 to £9,923,244 in 2021/22. For the same period, a pre-tax loss of £576,401 moved to a pre-tax profit of £1,320,801.

The report added: “However, pressure on net disposable income has risen significantly over the last six months of the year and continues to rise, driven by inflationary pressures on wages, food and energy, the latter being of particular concern, and driven further by the crisis in Ukraine.

“This has inevitably impacted the cost base of the group and presents a challenge unforeseen one year ago.”

The firm plans some investment including improving the heating system at its sites in Inverness, Elgin and Fraserburgh.

The average number of employees dropped from 236 in 2020/21 to 212 in 2021/22 while staff costs increased from £4,035,822 to £4,441,701.

Earlier this year, the firm became an employee-owned business.

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