Gaming jobs threat

Up to 25 employees at a Newark gaming company could lose their jobs because of a decline in the industry.

Mazooma Games on Bowbridge Road, which the Advertiser understands employs around 50 people, will be relocated to a site in Nottingham.

Employees were told of the potential job losses on Wednesday.

The company, which designs gaming machines, employs graphic designers, programmers and game designers.

The machines are built at the Nottingham site, owned by the Bell-Fruit Group, Mazooma’s parent company.

A decline in the pub business and the introduction of the new Gambling Act has been blamed for a dramatic reduction in demand for the machines.

Bell-Fruit’s managing director, Mr John Austin, said they had commenced a period of consultation over the potential redundancies and the relocation.

“It is my sincere intention that matters are conducted in a professional and fair manner,” he said.

The group is currently asking employees to come forward to give their thoughts on the proposals.