Coventry gambling venue gets green light to stay open 24 hours a day

A Coventry slots and bingo venue can stay open for 24 hours despite criticism of the plans from a neighbour. High street gaming giant Merkur Slots got the go-ahead to extend the hours of its Ball Hill branch yesterday, 2 July.

But a resident objected to the move, according to a Coventry council report on the scheme. The Iocal said they walk past the building several times a week but have "never seen any members of the public enter the venue."

They claimed the "only reason" for the later hours bid is a lack of customers at other times of day. The resident also alleged that the venue is "losing money" and needs the 24-hour opening to "boost profits."

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They raised potential noise issues, adding: "The area with a mix of business and residential properties is not suited to 24hr opening and many retail outlets close before midnight." According to the objector, the area is one of the city's "poorest" and struggles with drug dealing, begging and shoplifting.

"Merkur Slots bring no benefits to the local community and therefore 24hr opening may add to the issues that blight this area," they claimed. But the Coventry council officer report also noted supporting information by Merkur Slots.

This included that the site has been open since last November and "no noise impacts have been observed" or complaints received. The application was made to the council retrospectively, after the company was told of a breach of the planning condition of opening hours in April, a cover letter said.

Later opening for the Coventry branch would be more in line with the company's business model, it added. It also referred to a "robust noise assessment" showing the later hours are suitable.

Assessing the bid, a Coventry council officer noted that the council's environmental protection team had not objected. Merkur Slots also runs a 24-hour venue in Foleshill without any problems and another gaming centre on the road stays open through the night.

They pointed out that concerns over issues blighting the area and claims Merkur Slots bringing "no benefits" were raised when the company first applied to open the slots arcade in 2022. But it said police had no objection as long as a management plan for the venue is followed.

The officer added that there is "no evidence" this kind of use leads to crime, anti-social behaviour or noise. They said the plan is acceptable in principle and will not have any significant impacts on neighbours as long as conditions are in place.

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