24-hour Bingo Hall Plan Thrown Away By Council
17 November 2025
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Emily DaltonLocal Democracy Reporting Service
A strategy to turn a previous branch of NatWest bank in Surrey into a 24-hour bingo hall has been thrown out.
The choice by Spelthorne Borough Council last week followed a debate amongst councillors and opposition from homeowners who described the concept as "the final stroke" for centre.
The proposal was to convert the vacant noted building's ground floor into a 61-seat adult-only bingo hall running around the clock - a relocation which developers Sunni Ed Ltd declared would bring "vigor and practicality" back to the location.
But some dissenters questioned whether the site would instead be utilized as "an out-and-out betting hall".
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, preparing files indicated that, had the job been greenlit, the designers had planned to look for a gaming licence before opening.
As part of the licensing procedure, a threat assessment would have then been performed.
Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos called the strategy "outrageous", saying: "We're going down a domino effect.
"Why would anybody want to play bingo 24 hr a day?" asked Councillor Chris Bateson.
"I can't imagine a couple saying at 10pm, 'Let's go and play bingo'."
Ward councillor Howard Williams stated the proposition broke local policy developed to safeguard shopping spaces in Staines town centre, while a number of others added that the adult-only location would do little to support an inclusive, family-friendly space.
Its result on concerns like the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) currently in location on the High Street was likewise pointed out.
However, some did concede that bringing the structure back into usage could help generate footfall, while previous talk about the application recommended perhaps repurposing it for community advantage.
Other ideas consisted of turning it into a post workplace, a cultural centre, a health and wellbeing hub or independent shops.
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