Editing 24-hour Bingo Hall Plan Thrown Away By Council

<br>17 November 2025<br>ShareSave<br><br><br>Emily DaltonLocal Democracy Reporting Service<br><br><br>A strategy to turn a former branch of [http://kousokuwiki.org/wiki/%E5%88%A9%E7%94%A8%E8%80%85:MargotPaschke85 NatWest bank] in Surrey into a 24-hour bingo hall has been tossed out.<br><br><br>The choice by [https://www.garagesale.es/author/georgianawy/ Spelthorne Borough] Council recently followed a dispute amongst [https://music.michaelmknight.com/laurenallen972 councillors] and [http://211.149.139.1313000/pam30c4557690 opposition] from residents who explained the concept as "the last straw" for Staines town centre.<br><br><br>The proposal was to transform the vacant listed building's ground floor into a 61[http://code.dev.soooner.com18000/albertaq075962 -seat adult-only] bingo hall [https://silatdating.com/@olliebrotherto operating] all the time - a relocation which [https://bizzdirectorylist.com/info/6384.html developers Sunni] Ed Ltd claimed would bring "vitality and practicality" back to the area.<br><br><br>But some dissenters questioned whether the site would rather be utilized as "an out-and-out gaming hall".<br><br><br>According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, preparing files suggested that, had actually the [https://haderslevwiki.dk/index.php/Bruger:AlfonsoGeiger99 project] been greenlit, the developers had actually  to look for a [https://gratisafhalen.be/author/robynworsha/ gaming licence] before opening.<br><br><br>As part of the [https://bbarlock.com/index.php/User:HQKStephen licensing] process, a danger evaluation would have then been performed.<br><br><br>Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos called the strategy "outrageous", saying: "We're going down a slippery slope.<br><br><br>"Why would anybody wish to [https://wiki.novaverseonline.com/index.php/User:KlaraFetherstonh play bingo] 24 hr a day?" asked Councillor Chris Bateson.<br><br><br>"I can't think of a couple saying at 10pm, 'Let's go and play bingo'."<br><br><br>Ward councillor Howard Williams said the proposal broke regional policy created to protect shopping areas in Staines town centre, while several others included that the adult-only place would do little to support an inclusive, family-friendly space.<br><br><br>Its effect on concerns like the general public Space Protection Order (PSPO) currently in place on the High Street was likewise discussed.<br><br><br>However, some did yield that bringing the building back into use might assist create step, while previous discuss the application recommended potentially repurposing it for community advantage.<br><br><br>Other ideas included turning it into a post office, a cultural centre, a health and wellbeing hub or independent stores.<br><br><br>Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story concepts to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<br>