Concern over plans for 24-hour adult gaming centre

16 hours ago

Michelle Ruminski,Somerset political reporter, Bridgwaterand

Kelly Withers,Somerset

News image — The 24-hour slot machine centre could be based in an empty shop in the town centre

BBC A pedestrianised high street with an empty retail building to the left. There are people in the street and a statue of Robert Blake in the background. There is also a church in the background. The picture was taken on a cloudy day. — The 24-hour slot machine centre could be based in an empty shop in the town centre

Plans to turn an empty shop into a 24-hour adult gaming centre have been criticised by a town council.

Godden Gaming Organisation has submitted an application to convert the former WH Smith store in Bridgwater, Somerset into a centre with slot machines.

Tim Mander, the chair of Bridgwater town council's planning committee, said the area suffers with anti-social behaviour and he wanted to see "alternative options" for the unit.

Jeremy Godden, the managing director of the Godden Gaming Organisation, said there was "absolutely no evidence that high street gaming centres cause any anti-social behaviour".

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Godden said the alcohol-free centre would provide a safe and friendly environment for "people to enjoy their leisure time".

"All of our teams undertake full training to notice signs of anyone with a potential gambling habit and we intervene and will take appropriate action," he added.

Mander said he also had concerns with the centre being open 24 hours a day.

"There will be people in and out potentially every hour of the day and I didn't feel that would be beneficial.

"Up and down the country high streets are failing and more should be done to attract people back into the town centre. There could be a lot of alternative options for that unit," Mander added.

A woman standing in front of am empty shop. She is wearing a bright red hoodie with a grey top and silver necklace. She has blonde spiky hair and black glasses. — Local resident Rosalind Gill does not want the building turned into an adult gaming centre

Local resident Rosalind Gill, 38, said she would rather have an empty shop than a gaming centre.

She said: "An adult gaming shop brings more trouble. There's already trouble in Bridgwater as it is, we don't need more."

Sophie Dethier, 36, said the adult gaming centre would not be her "first choice", but added it would be "amazing to fill" the shop as it was "sad" to see so many empty.

According to the Gambling Commission, which regulates gambling activities in the UK, adult gaming centres can have an unlimited number of low-stake slot machines.

The maximum stake of any machine is £2 and the maximum prize is £500.

In a letter to Somerset Council, Greenslade Taylor Hunt, the estate agent which sold the building to Godden Gaming, said "the only viable interest was received from gambling operators" and there were "no offers" for "retail purposes".

People have until 3 March to comment on the application, which will then be considered by Somerset Council.

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