A MOTHER-to-be desperate for a toilet was told she could not use one at a bingo club - because she wasn't a member.
Lynn Murray, 30, from Reddish, Stockport - who is expecting twins - dashed into a Mecca Bingo Club to relieve herself when she was on a day out in Merseyside with her parents and two-year-old daughter Mia.
She asked two female workers at the club near Birkenhead Market if she could use their toilet. But they told her only members could go in.
There were no other toilets nearby, which meant Lynn, who has had a difficult pregnancy, had to take 10 minutes to sign up as a temporary member before being allowed in. She did not have to pay.
Married Lynn, a retail worker, said she could not believe the club's attitude.
"I've had a lot of problems during the 16-week pregnancy," she said. "These are continuing, so I need to keep a check on them when I go to the toilet.
"I explained the situation to the women but they wouldn't let me in. I was flabbergasted.
"I know there are rules and regulations, but you have to show a little discretion. This was like a medical emergency.
"There were no other toilets in sight and I couldn't walk any further.
"It makes me laugh now, but at the time I was shocked." Lynn says she has no intention of using her membership and will keep the card as a souvenir.
A spokeswoman for The Twins and Multiple Births Association said: "This is a rather silly situation when you have a pregnant woman who can't use a toilet when she needs it.
"I don't know the club's regulations, but they seem ludicrous."
A spokesman for the club said: "All bingo clubs are governed by legislation that requires people to be members before entering the premises.
"This ensures members are above 18. Sympathetic as we were to Mrs Murray's request to use the toilet, we were simply following clearly laid-down government guidelines.
"We had to make sure the correct legal procedures were observed to ensure we were acting responsibly.
"Once Mrs Murray had joined, which she did, there were no issues with her using our facilities."
Comment: Page 8
Tweet
Mum-to-be barred from bingo loo
May 23, 2007
Lynn Murray

Showing comments 1 to 13 and replies | View All
marc (23/05/2007 at 13:06)
treblewinner (23/05/2007 at 13:57)
Ms D, Manchester (23/05/2007 at 14:05)
Dawn Lonergan (23/05/2007 at 14:30)
jsac1984 (23/05/2007 at 14:52)
I completely agree it is ludicrous , but unfortunately it is all part of the Gambling Commisions Legislation.
Anyone who has a lifetime to spare can sit and go throught the gaming act , and will find numerous referals to not allowing anyone who is not a member onto the premises , no matter what the circumstances , unless they are from the police/fire brigade etc.
SB, Audenshaw (23/05/2007 at 15:06)
Sam Anderson (23/05/2007 at 15:49)
When you read things like this - you do belive the world has gone truly mad!
ace, manchester (23/05/2007 at 16:18)
jsac1984 (23/05/2007 at 17:35)
i would of had to refuse . It is a sackable offence,illegal , and i could get fined for letting a non-member into the casino.
Wont be so bad later in the year when the gambling laws change , anyone can enter a licenced gaming premises without any problem then!
Dave Pickup (23/05/2007 at 19:53)
The_umpire, Salford, Lancashire (23/05/2007 at 22:08)
We have gone rules crazy and common sense has gone out of the window, but, surely in this kind of case someone could of escorted her to the loo in a bingo club, and in agreement with Jsac, this can not happen in a Casino because they would of closed down permanently.
Jo (24/05/2007 at 16:07)
SB, Audenshaw (25/05/2007 at 11:35)