Former fishmonger in Arnold to become 24-hour adult gaming centre

A former fishmonger in the centre of Arnold will become a 24-hour adult gaming centre after plans were approved.

Luxury Leisure, a provider of slot machine and gaming venues in the UK, has been given permission to open the unit on Front Street.

The company currently operates the Admiral Casino on the ground floor of 91b Front Street, and the Kwik Tan tanning salon is based on the first floor above it.

Planning documents say the neighbouring property at 91A Front Street is “vacant and dead in the street scene with a steel roller shutter permanently pulled down.”

“As it stands the property does not contribute anything to the vitality and viability of the town centre,” documents, prepared by RR Planning, say.

It was last used as a fishmonger, Shayan’s Fishmongers, in 2021. The business has since closed.

On July 19, Gedling Borough Council’s planning officers gave the scheme the green light.

Luxury Leisure, which is part of the Novomatic Group, runs 250 high street and seaside gaming venues in the UK and the group employs more than 2,000 staff, according to planning documents.

It says it accounts for 22.5 per cent of the UK adult gaming centre market, and the group says “it is a highly experienced responsible operator in this market”.

“Internally, there will be no noisy amusement arcade equipment which attracts under 18s and has an impact on amenity,” a design and access statement says.

“Unlike an arcade, which is noisy to attract passing custom of all ages, there is a statutory obligation to exclude under 18s from adult gaming centres (ACGs).

“Such AGC establishments are commonly found at the heart of hundreds of shopping centres throughout the UK and are not uncommon even in previously defined primary shopping frontages.

“Indeed, many shopping centres have more than one AGC in the town centre.

“There is no evidence that AGC uses have harmed any interest of acknowledged importance.

“Such uses rely on pedestrian flows and trade successfully in busy town centres and contribute as a complementary use to the overall attraction of town centres to the shopping public.

“As an acceptable town centre use, AGCs are found in busy locations where there is even residential use above or in adjoining properties.

“The proposed use itself is not an inherently noisy activity nor in relation to the comings and goings of customers.

“There are no adverse impacts and there is no evidence of any anti-social behaviour being exacerbated by such uses.

“There is no audible trading noise break-out through the premises shop front even excluding the masking effects of levels of existing ambient noise in the area.

“We should also add that the proposed use is strictly governed and regulated under the council’s licensing regime where the local authority, separately as the Licensing Authority, is legally obliged to take into consideration issues of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance which includes amenity concerns such as noise, threats to community safety, litter, odour, smoke, and light; and the protection of children
from harm.

“Hours of use primarily also fall under the licensing regime within which the existing AGC already operates benefits from 24-hour consent.”