Plans for 24-hour Staines bingo hall rejected after councillors brand it a ‘gambling centre’
A plan to turn a former NatWest bank in Staines High Street into a 24-hour bingo hall has been thrown out, following a heated debate that saw councillors question whether the venue was really a bingo hall at all.
The proposal, by Sunni-Ed Limited, sought to convert the vacant ground floor of 67 High Street into a 61-seat adult-only bingo hall operating around the clock. The site, which has stood empty for about a year, was previously used as a bank and is part of the town’s primary shopping area and historic core.
Spelthorne Borough Council’s planning officers recommended the scheme for approval, arguing the site’s former use as a bank meant there was “no loss of retail floorspace”. But councillors, at a planning meeting on November 12, voted against the bingo hall, saying it would harm the High Street’s vitality and contravene town centre policy.
Ward councillor Cllr Howard Williams, who called in the application, said it went against local policy designed to protect shopping spaces in Staines town centre. He said the bingo hall would “add little daytime vibrancy to family friendly street life.”
Councillors across the committee expressed unease about the proposal, with Cllr Paul Woodward saying: “I’m struggling to see how this is a bingo hall and not an out-and-out gambling hall.” Cllr Karen Howkins agreed and called it “not a traditional bingo hall, but a gambling centre”.
Additionally, Cllr Chris Bateson questioned the need for it to operate around the clock. “Why would anyone want to play bingo 24 hours a day? I can’t imagine a couple saying at 10pm, ‘let’s go and play bingo’,” he said.
Officers said the applicant confirmed the venue would be for over-18s only, with no food or alcohol served. They said all screens inside the hall would be dedicated to playing bingo.
Several councillors said the adult-only venue would exclude families and young people and do little to support a lively, inclusive town centre. Others pointed to existing issues in the area, including a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) already in place for the High Street.
Cllr Daniel Geraci said: “It’s not accessible if it’s 18-plus. It’s a closed-off place. This is a regression rather than progression for the town centre.”
He also raised concerns about the lack of parking and late-night transport, noting that “this is not a 24-hour town.” Cllr Geraci suggested reducing the opening hours to 9am -11pm if the scheme were approved.
Cllr Denise Saliagopoulos called the plan “outrageous”, adding: “We’re going down a slippery slope. What we need are more vibrant pubs”
Cllr Darren Clarke quipped that “there’s a certain irony” in turning a former bank into a place where “people go to something that looks like a cashpoint, but put money in instead.”
While some councillors noted that bringing the building back into use could generate footfall, most agreed the proposal was to some extent “disingenuous” and would fail to enhance the High Street.
After more than an hour of discussion, councillors rejected the scheme stating the proposed use would introduce a bingo hall in a designated primary shopping area, negatively affect neighbours, and fail to contribute positively to the High Street’s vitality or viability.