24-hour Bingo Hall Plan Thrown Out By Council
17 November 2025
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Democracy Reporting Service
A strategy to turn a former branch of NatWest bank in Surrey into a 24-hour bingo hall has been thrown away.
The choice by Spelthorne Borough Council last week followed a debate among councillors and opposition from citizens who described the idea as "the final stroke" for Staines town centre.
The proposal was to transform the vacant listed structure's ground floor into a 61-seat adult-only bingo hall operating all the time - a relocation which designers Sunni Ed Ltd declared would bring "vigor and practicality" back to the location.
But some dissenters questioned whether the site would rather be utilized as "an out-and-out gambling hall".
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, planning files suggested that, had actually the project been greenlit, the developers had actually meant to make an application for a betting licence before opening.
As part of the licensing procedure, a risk assessment would have then been brought out.
Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos called the plan "outrageous", saying: "We're going down a slippery slope.
"Why would anyone wish to play bingo 24 hr a day?" asked Councillor Chris Bateson.
"I can't imagine a couple stating at 10pm, 'Let's go and play bingo'."
Ward councillor Howard Williams stated the proposition broke regional policy created to safeguard shopping spaces in Staines town centre, while numerous others added that the adult-only place would do little to support an inclusive, family-friendly space.
Its result on issues like the general public Space Protection Order (PSPO) already in location on the High Street was also discussed.
However, some did concede that bringing the building back into use could assist produce step, while previous remarks on the application suggested possibly repurposing it for community benefit.
Other concepts consisted of turning it into a post office, a cultural centre, a health and health and wellbeing hub or independent shops.
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