Stardust Bingo in Midland Road, Wellingborough, has issued redundancy notices to all 19 staff and the club is due to shut next month.

The new laws banning smoking in all public places introduced on July 1 have seen the number of players fall and takings down.

A spokesman for Stardust said: "Overall takings were down 16 per cent since the smoking ban came into force and it was just not viable to continue.

"The Government promised licensed bingo clubs would be exempt from the smoking legislation but on the night of the vote MPs changed their mind.

"There is a small ray of hope – and it is only small – that another local business could buy the Stardust club and take over its running, but we cannot say what company that is."

Bingo player Karen Tall has been a regular at the club and is angry at the closure.

The 31-year-old housewife, of Gannet Lane, Wellingborough, said: "It's not just the fact that this club is closing and we're losing an entertainment venue in Wellingborough, people are also going to lose their jobs because of this smoking legislation.

"I smoke and so do a lot of people who go to Stardust. This legislation has not been thought out properly. Clubs and restaurants should be able to divide their areas into two sections so people can smoke and not disturb others."

Brian Lawman, 74, of Frandish Road, Irchester, added: "I've been playing at Stardust for quite a few years and it's a real shame the smoking ban has ruined this club. There are going to be a lot of disappointed people."

Tom Haworth, general manager of the Buckingham Stardust, in George Street, Corby, said takings were also down but added there was no chance of closure.

He said: "It would be stupid to say we weren't expecting a drop in takings but it has been no more than we were expecting. Revenue has been about eight per cent down on last year but customer numbers are the same. We're positive about the future and are currently hiring staff."

Paul Norman, manager of Flutters, in College Street, Rushden, said his venue had been unaffected by the ban.

He said: "We are keeping up with last year's targets even though a lot of our customers smoke. I think we offer a friendly, more personal atmosphere than the corporate clubs, which is why we have a loyal base of customers."

A spokesman for Gala Bingo, which operates a club in Kettering, declined to comment.

Smokers caught having a cigarette in enclosed public places face a £50 fine. Businesses can also be fined £200 for not displaying no-smoking signs and £2,500 for not implementing the ban.