24-hour bingo, slots and gaming venue planned for Greater Manchester high street

The new 'high street adult gaming centre’ in the centre of the town would remain permanently open

A 24-hour opening bingo and slot machine venue is planning to open in Bolton town centre.

German company Merkur Slots have applied to open what they describe as a ‘high street adult gaming centre’ on Newport Street with round the clock opening hours, seven days a week.

They plan to occupy the currently vacant shop unit which for several years housed the town’s Bonmarche store.

The company said should change of use planning permission be granted, the business would employ up to 12 full-time staff.

Supporting documents for the proposal claimed the venue, which provides electronic bingo tablets for players, would provide benefits to the town’s high street.

An information brochure, said: “Over 90 per cent of new MerkurSlots venues occupy former vacant units and provide investment from £100,000 to £250,000 in long-standing vacant venues. It would provide Increased footfall to the high street and we provide an important natural surveillance, particularly late into the evenings.”

Merkur Slots said its customer base after midnight was ‘predominantly the local entertainment workforce and shift workers who like to relax after their busy shifts’. They added that the machines generate low levels of noise, that ‘we do not have public address systems that you find in seaside amusement centres’ and that their venues only played background music.

The statement added that adult gaming centres ‘are often, unfortunately, put into the same category as betting shops’. “Public concerns surrounding betting shops were largely due to the presence of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).

“Our venues do not operate these types of machines. Our machines offer low stakes ranging from 10p to a maximum of £2. These machines have been around for many, many years.

“Our centres are where people come to spend their spare change, have a game of bingo and enjoy their favourite pastime in convenient locations.”

A crime impact report by a Greater Manchester Police design for security consultant was submitted as part of the application.

It reads: “The proposed development will bring additional activity to Newport Street during the day and in the evening, deterring criminals and those antisocially minded from operating in the area.

“The re-use of the property is welcomed. “Properties that remain vacant for some months are often targeted by thieves and vandals. The resulting visible signs of decay can attract further abuse, which is then likely to affect the neighbouring and nearby properties.”

The report also included security advice about the cash office, CCTV, access to staff areas and panic alarms.

Planners at Bolton council will consider the change of use request in the coming weeks.