Hundreds object to plan for 24-hour gaming centre

The Halifax Bank on Baxtergate in Whitby is due to close in May

Plans to convert the former premises of a seaside town's last high street bank into a 24-hour adult gaming centre have received hundreds of objections.

In its application to North Yorkshire Council, Luxury Leisure, trading as Admiral, said the conversion of the Halifax Bank on Baxtergate in Whitby - due to close later this year - would "ensure footfall to the town centre".

Such premises were "bona fide town centre uses", adding to diversity and choice with no harmful impact on retailing activity, it added.

A total of five people have so far written to the council backing the plan, but 370 objections have been received, including one from Jacqueline Hoggart, who said Whitby was "not Las Vegas".

Ms Hoggart added: "It's a town full of character. I sincerely hope these plans are not approved as it would go against the ethos of Whitby and encouraging gambling is rather dangerous."

Another objector, Debbie Beeforth, said: "The town needs to encourage more retail businesses to regenerate the centre, not adult gaming centres which do not belong in the main retail thoroughfare."

'Excellent replacement'

In its application, Luxury Leisure, part of the Novomatic Group, stated there would be "no noisy amusement arcade equipment which attracts under-18s and has an impact on amenity".

"The proposed 24-hour use will ensure footfall to the town centre," it added.

Supporting the bid, Richard Thomson told North Yorkshire Council: "Please make it a 24-hour casino. It will be good for other local businesses like my own, and create lots of job opportunities."

Meanwhile, Joe Spivey said: "It will be an excellent replacement for a disused bank, providing a good amount of footfall for the area, as well as another facet of nighttime activity for the town."

The Halifax Bank on Baxtergate was originally supposed to shut its doors in January, but customers have since been told it will remain open until May.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, over 40% of bank branches in Scarborough and Whitby have closed since 2015.

North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the application, which currently remains open to comments from members of the public.

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