A new venue offering slot machines is set to start operation in the city centre of Worcester after local authorities gave the green light to the company’s project.
The British gambling operator Cashino Gaming, which currently operates about 150 high-street venues across the country, had previously unveiled its plans to establish an adult gaming centre. Under the company’s plans, the venue that will occupy the building of a former bank in The Cross is set to host slot and fruit machines, along with some online bingo tables.
The Planning Committee of the Worcester City Council gave the green light to the project last week. The decision was made at the request of Lynn Denham, a ward councillor, who raised some questions regarding the need for a new slots venue in the city.
Although the project for the adult gaming centre in Worcester’s city centre area was approved by councillors a few days ago, there has been some controversy about whether the company should be allowed to open the planned venue, as there has been some concern whether the establishment would be in line with the city centre regeneration plans unveiled by Worcester City Council.
Adult Gaming Centre Project Faces Opposition Due to Possible Disorder Concerns
As mentioned above, the project for the new gambling venue faced some opposition, but councillors could not find a legitimate reason to reject Cashino Gaming’s application. Some Planning Committee members said that it would be a good thing to once again see the city centre unit, which has remained unoccupied for years, brought back into use again.
Previously, KFC has unveiled plans to open a takeaway restaurant in the same building that is now set to host the adult gaming centre of Cashino Gaming, but its plans were rejected by Worcester City Council in 2018. At the time, commissioners cited fears that the new establishment would add to crime and disorder in the area. At the licensing hearing in March, a representative of Cashino Gaming, Philip Kolvin, shared there was no evidence to suggest that the new gambling business would cause any disorder to the city centre. He explained that the planned venue would not serve alcohol, the numbers of gambling options offered there would be low, and staff would oversee everything that happens in the establishment, with CCTV monitoring also set to take place.
Cashino Gaming, which applied for permission to host the adult gaming centre, revealed that the gambling venue is set to create six new jobs.
The proposed opening hours of the establishment are still being discussed. Back in March 2021, the proposed venue was awarded a 24-hour gambling permit by the Worcester City Council. However, it is likely for the establishment to close at midnight during the week and at 2:00 AM during weekends.
Councillor Mike Johnson, who heads the Planning Committee, has revealed that Casino Gaming is very well equipped and has a good record in other locations where it offers its services. He further noted that no legitimate reason to reject the company’s gambling operating permit application had been found by the licensing committee.
- Author
Olivia Cole
