An ‘adult gaming centre’ has been given the green light to open in a former bank despite objections from residents, councillors and the local MP.
Planners at Manchester City Council (MCC) approved a re-submitted proposal to convert the old Barclays Bank at 537 Stockport Road in Longsight into a Merkur Slots.
The arcade would have opening hours between 8am and midnight – instead of being operational around the clock as per the previous application – on a row where there is already a pawnbroker and two bookmakers, with a third one across the street.
Andrew Gwynne, MP for Gorton and Denton, said: “It remains my view that this change of use, if agreed, would impact on mental and physical health and wellbeing of residents, and would affect amenity, vitality, viability and diversity in an important district centre.
“Gambling can have significant adverse effects on vulnerable people, particularly when it becomes addictive, and can lead to relationships difficulties, large scale financial loss and in some cases crime or suicide – the list is not exhaustive.
“This application causes a clustering of betting shops and gambling premises at this location and is likely to cause harm through anti-social behaviour.
“There are several homes that provide supported housing to vulnerable people with alcohol and drug dependence within a short distance.
“Council services in the area are already under pressure as a consequence and this change of use could result in additional demand on these services and for the police.”
MCC received further written objections from residents, ten local councillors, nearby businesses and a petition signed by 180 people against the scheme.
The application’s case officer Sue Wills said in her report: “Whilst it is considered that an adult gaming centre would not significantly contribute to the vibrancy and the mix of established uses along this section of Stockport Road in Longsight, the impact to vitality and viability of the centre would not be so significant to warrant refusal on this basis.
“The proposed hours of use and activity is commensurate with other uses within a busy district centre and would not result in any impacts which would be unduly harmful to residential amenity.”
MCC’s planning inspector also rejected data pointing to a higher concentration of gambling venues in deprived leads to an ‘increase in problem gambling’, saying: “Council has not provided any substantive evidence that the proposed use would significantly and disproportionately harm the health of and wellbeing of citizens within the ward.”
Merkur Slots was hit with a £95,000 fine earlier this year after Wendy Hughes, then 64, gambled away almost £2,000 at the company’s Stockport branch over two sessions at the start of November 2023 while being treated for lung cancer.
Staff even reserved her favourite machine while she went out just after midnight on November 3 when her bank card’s daily limit reset.
The widowed mother of three died the following summer.
One of her children, who wished to remain anonymous, said in their objection: “Merkur have never apologised for their actions.
“They refuse to take accountability for their actions, instead choosing to blame the frontline staff.”
The shop has been empty since Barclays vacated the building in November 2023.
