24-hour Bingo Hall Plan Thrown Out By Council
17 November 2025
ShareSave
Emily DaltonLocal Democracy Reporting Service
A plan to turn a previous branch of NatWest bank in Surrey into a 24-hour bingo hall has been thrown away.
The decision by Council last week followed a debate among councillors and opposition from homeowners who explained the concept as "the last straw" for Staines town centre.
The proposition was to convert the vacant listed building's ground floor into a 61-seat adult-only bingo hall running around the clock - a relocation which designers Sunni Ed Ltd claimed would bring "vitality and viability" back to the area.
But some dissenters questioned whether the site would instead be utilized as "an out-and-out gambling hall".
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, planning files suggested that, had actually the job been greenlit, the designers had actually intended to obtain a gaming licence before opening.
As part of the licensing procedure, a danger assessment would have then been performed.
Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos called the strategy "outrageous", stating: "We're decreasing a domino effect.
"Why would anybody desire to play bingo 24 hr a day?" asked Councillor Chris Bateson.
"I can't think of a couple saying at 10pm, 'Let's go and play bingo'."
Ward councillor Howard Williams stated the proposal broke regional policy designed to protect shopping spaces in Staines town centre, while a number of others added that the adult-only venue would do little to support an inclusive, family-friendly area.
Its result on problems like the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) already in place on the High Street was also mentioned.
However, some did yield that bringing the building back into usage could assist generate tramp, while previous talk about the application recommended perhaps repurposing it for neighborhood benefit.
Other ideas consisted of turning it into a post workplace, a cultural centre, a health and wellbeing center or independent stores.
Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story concepts to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.