Planners say no to 24-hour gaming in the town centre

THERE will be no 24-hour gaming in Warrington’s town centre Bridge Street, planning chiefs have decided.

Members of Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee have granted permission for an adult gaming centre to move into a vacant shop.
But the centre will not be allowed to open 24-hours-a-day as originally requested by the applicants.
It will have to close at midnight from Sunday to Thursday and at 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The scheme had been opposed by business development organisation Warrington and Co, by the occupiers of four nearby presemises and by borough couoncillor Tom Jennings.
Objectors claimed the proposal was not in keeping with the borough council’s vision of a family-friendly retail and leisure offer in the town centre and that there was already adequate gambling provision in the town centre.
Cllr Jennings said: “I’m concerned about numerous elements of this application; the trading hours, proposed signage both in terms of illumination and its keeping with the rest of the building.
“ The intended use is an already saturated market in the town centre and I don’t believe a desirable investment when considering the council’s long term vision for Bridge Street. It’s also not appropriate for this kind of establishment to be in such close proximity to housing for and services working with vulnerable people. I believe health and wellbeing concerns would outweigh much of the projected employment and economic benefits.”
Planning officers said the proposal would make a sustainable contribution to the vitality and viability of the town centre.
The morality of gambling as a leisure activity was not a planning consideration, they said
Cheshire Police expressed concern at the requested opening hours – but said a similar facility operated by the same company in Widnes was well managed and had caused few problems.