24-hour Bingo Hall Plan Tossed Out 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-hour bingo hall has actually been tossed out.
The choice by Spelthorne Borough Council recently followed a debate amongst councillors and opposition from homeowners who described the concept as "the final stroke" for Staines town centre.
The was to transform the uninhabited listed structure's ground floor into a 61-seat adult-only bingo hall running all the time - a relocation which developers Sunni Ed Ltd declared would bring "vigor and viability" back to the location.
But some dissenters questioned whether the website would rather be utilized as "an out-and-out betting hall".
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, planning files showed that, had the task been greenlit, the developers had actually intended to obtain a gambling licence before opening.
As part of the licensing procedure, a danger evaluation would have then been performed.
Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos called the plan "outrageous", saying: "We're decreasing a domino effect.
"Why would anybody wish to play bingo 24 hours a day?" asked Councillor Chris Bateson.
"I can't envision a couple stating at 10pm, 'Let's go and play bingo'."
Ward councillor Howard Williams said the proposal went against local policy designed to secure shopping spaces in Staines town centre, while a number of others included that the adult-only location would do little to support an inclusive, family-friendly space.
Its impact on issues like the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) currently in place on the High Street was also discussed.
However, some did concede that bringing the building back into usage might help produce tramp, while previous talk about the application recommended potentially repurposing it for community benefit.
Other ideas consisted of turning it into a post workplace, a cultural centre, a health and health and wellbeing center or independent shops.
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