In a bid to bring the association closer to members, UK trade association Bacta is holding its first-ever National Council meeting outside of London next week.

John Bolliom

The organisation will meet at the Marriot Hotel in Leeds on Thursday, April 18 and part of the proceedings will be a question and answer forum, said president John Bollom.

He said that the association had introduced the northern meeting as part of its modernisation programme that has the objectives of streamlining structures and getting closer to members.

"For too long Bacta has been London-centric and the National Council is determined to change that. What better way to start than taking our governing body to Yorkshire?

"Members are actively encouraged to attend and ask questions on any aspect of Bacta’s work, whether that be the gambling white paper, our push to get a stake and prize review, the campaign to get cashless play or our plans to improve the Bacta portal.

"Our plan is to regularly take our meetings outside London and meet with the membership. We are planning to meet in south west England in September."