24-hour Bingo Hall Plan Thrown Away By Council
17 November 2025
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Emily DaltonLocal Democracy Reporting Service
A plan to turn a former branch of NatWest bank in Surrey into a 24 hall has actually been tossed out.
The choice by Spelthorne Borough Council last week followed a dispute among councillors and opposition from locals who described the idea as "the last straw" for Staines town centre.
The proposal was to convert the vacant listed structure's ground floor into a 61-seat adult-only bingo hall running all the time - a move which developers Sunni Ed Ltd claimed would bring "vigor and practicality" back to the area.
But some dissenters questioned whether the site would instead be utilized as "an out-and-out betting hall".
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, planning files indicated that, had actually the task been greenlit, the developers had actually intended to get a betting licence before opening.
As part of the licensing procedure, a risk assessment would have then been performed.
Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos called the plan "outrageous", saying: "We're going down a domino effect.
"Why would anyone desire to play bingo 24 hr a day?" asked Councillor Chris Bateson.
"I can't imagine a couple saying at 10pm, 'Let's go and play bingo'."
Ward councillor Howard Williams said the proposition broke local policy designed to safeguard shopping spaces in Staines town centre, while a number of others included that the adult-only place would do little to support an inclusive, family-friendly area.
Its result on problems like the general public Space Protection Order (PSPO) already in location on the High Street was likewise discussed.
However, some did concede that bringing the building back into use could help create step, while previous talk about the application recommended potentially repurposing it for community advantage.
Other concepts included turning it into a post office, a cultural centre, a health and wellness hub or independent stores.
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