Controversy over gambling shop plan
A24-HOUR betting shop could soon open in Southport town centre but faces opposition from residents and businesses.
The Germany-based Gauselmann group has applied for planning permission and a premises licence to open a shop filled with slot machines and, if approved, ‘Cashino’ would open on London Street next door to the Oxfam charity shop on the ground floor and basement.
But the plans have sparked fears over the impact on vulnerable residents who may be attracted to the allday offering as well as for the impact on the town centre.
One Southport resident, who asked to remain anonymous, contacted the Visiter to speak of their concerns about the plans.
She said: “As someone who is concerned about the gambling problems in our society, I feel Southport has enough gambling opportunities to cause problems in people’s lives.
“I imagine that 24 hour operations would be likely to cause an unwelcome level of disorder in the area.”
The town’s MP Damien Moore has also spoken out about the proposal and had urged residents to contact the council’s licensing committee to register their opposition.
He said: “A number of local businesses and local residents have already contacted me to share their concerns over these plans.
“Whilst people come to Southport to have a good time, there are more than enough slot gaming premises of this nature in Southport town centre already. We do not need any more.
“I am also concerned about the impact this may have on vulnerable people in our town.”
In its application, Cashino disputes its classification as a ‘betting shop’, instead describing itself as an ‘adult gaming centre’ (ACG). It says it does not use controversial Fixed Odds Betting
Machines (FOBTs) and states that the average customer stake is just 30-40p, though does not make clear how many stakes are made in a typical visit.
It states: “AGCs are often, unfortunately, put into the same category as betting shops. This is because there is a widespread misunderstanding of how AGCs operate and who our customers are.
“We want to address these misconceptions and demonstrate that a new AGC on your local high street is a good thing. Public concerns surrounding betting shops were largely due to the presence of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).
“Our venues do not offer these types of machines. Our machines offer low stakes ranging from 10p to a maximum of £2. These machines have been around for many, many years.”