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 former branch of NatWest bank in Surrey into a 24-hour bingo hall has actually been thrown away.
The choice by Spelthorne Borough Council recently followed an argument among councillors and opposition from homeowners who described the concept as "the last straw" for Staines town centre.
The proposal was to convert the uninhabited listed building's ground floor into a 61-seat adult-only bingo hall operating around the clock - a relocation which designers Sunni Ed Ltd claimed would bring "vigor and practicality" back to the location.
But some dissenters questioned whether the website would instead be utilized as "an out-and-out betting hall".
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, planning files showed that, had the task been greenlit, the developers had actually meant to get a gambling licence before opening.
As part of the licensing procedure, a threat evaluation would have then been brought out.
Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos called the plan "outrageous", saying: "We're decreasing a domino effect.
"Why would anybody wish to 24 hr a day?" asked Councillor Chris Bateson.
"I can't picture a couple saying at 10pm, 'Let's go and play bingo'."
Ward councillor Howard Williams said the proposal went against regional policy created to safeguard shopping areas in Staines town centre, while numerous others added that the adult-only location would do little to support an inclusive, family-friendly space.
Its effect on problems like the general public Space Protection Order (PSPO) already in place on the High Street was also pointed out.
However, some did concede that bringing the structure back into use might help produce step, while previous discuss the application recommended potentially repurposing it for community benefit.
Other concepts consisted of turning it into a post workplace, a cultural centre, a health and health and wellbeing hub or independent shops.
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