Objections to plans for 24/7 bingo hall

The former bank is in Church Road, Ashford

Over 200 letters of objection have been written against plans for a 24/7 bingo hall in a former Barclays bank.

An application for an adult gaming centre in the building, in Ashford, Surrey, was previously rejected.

This is the third attempt to change the empty bank, which closed in 2021, to a 24hr slot machine centre.

The first, for an adult gaming centre, was in October 2023, and was denied in July due to concerns about the noise impact on the neighbours and the lack of an engaging shop front.

While the adult gaming centre proposal is being appealed, Golden Slots (Southern) Ltd submitted the bingo hall proposal on 30 July.

Although submitted under different company names, they share the same director.

The applicant, Golden Slots (Southern) Ltd, claims replacing the vacant bank with a bingo hall will “add to the vitality and viability of the town centre by trading seven days a week”.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said planning documents reveal the bingo hall will also operate 24 hours a day, every day, including Bank Holidays.

The application is to be decided by 24 September.

The documents claim the bingo hall will fit into and contribute to the high street scene.

Church Road has various retail and service shops, including a café, a barber, a tanning studio, a fish and chips shop, a betting office and a dry cleaner.

The proposed bingo hall would have 50 seats in total in the bingo hall, while the old bank’s safe will be used as a store room and for secure storage.

The applicant and its agent have been contacted for comment.

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