Hundreds of residents have objected to a plan to convert Whitby’s last high street bank into a 24-hour adult gaming centre.
And the town’s MP has raised the issue in Parliament.
More than 400 objections have been lodged in less than a week against the proposed conversion of the Halifax on Baxtergate, Whitby.
The application by Luxury Leisure, trading as Admiral, said that adult gaming centres were “bona fide town centre uses” that added to diversity and choice and had no harmful impact on retailing activity.
It added that there would be “no noisy amusement arcade equipment which attracts under-18s and has an impact on amenity” and that “the proposed 24-hour use will ensure footfall to the town centre”.
However, one of the hundreds of local objectors, Jacqueline Hoggart, said: “This is not Las Vegas, it’s a town full of character!
“I sincerely hope that 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.”
She added: “The council should be supporting keeping vital banking services in the town.”
The Halifax bank branch, which was due to close in January, has informed customers that it intends to remain open until May.
‘Essential service’
Alison Hume, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, raised the issue in a Westminster Hall debate yesterday (Wednesday).
“I know that residents want somewhere to deposit and withdraw their money, including local businesses, rather than somewhere to put their coins in slot machines,” she said.
She added that “for high streets to survive and thrive, it is essential that we have the banks and services that local residents want”.
Four residents have come out in favour of the planning application so far.
Richard Thomson said: “Please make it a 24-hour casino. It will be good for other local businesses like my own and create lots of job opportunities.”
Another supporter, 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 night-time activity for the town.”