Whitby residents are opposing plans to convert the town’s last bank into a 24-hour gaming center, fearing it will lead to more betting shops and antisocial behavior.
Whitby: Residents are upset about a proposal to turn the last bank into a 24-hour betting shop. The Halifax branch on Baxtergate is the only bank left in town. Luxury Leisure wants to change it into an adult gaming center.
The bank was supposed to close in January but has pushed the date to May. Luxury Leisure claims that adult gaming centers can help town centers by adding variety. They argue that this change could bring investment to a declining area.
However, locals are worried about potential antisocial behavior and losing access to banking services. One resident, Andrea Tyreman, believes the council should reject the plan. She feels the council should prioritize the community’s needs over profit-driven companies.
Another resident, Emma Gates, agrees. She thinks Whitby needs more clothing and household stores, not more betting shops. She fears this will further degrade the town’s appeal.
Luxury Leisure, part of the Novomatic Group, says it has a strong presence in the UK gaming market. They assure that their operations won’t include noisy arcade games that attract underage visitors. They believe their 24-hour center will increase foot traffic in the town.
Since 2015, Scarborough and Whitby have seen over 40% of their bank branches close. This trend reflects a larger issue, with more than 5,790 bank closures across the UK. North Yorkshire Council has not yet set a date to decide on this application, which is still open for public comments.
