Inspector to Decide on Gambling Arcade in Exeter City Centre
A government inspector will rule on a proposed gambling arcade in Exeter after city councillors expressed strong opposition to the plan
Exeter, UK, Gambling, Arcade, Planning, Merkur
Exeter: Plans for a 24-hour slot machine arcade in a tough part of Exeter are facing serious pushback from city councillors.
A government inspector will now decide if Merkur Slots can open in Sidwell Street since the city council ran out of time to make a call.
City councillors are pretty clear they don’t support this idea. Cllr Anne Jobson said it’s just not the right spot for something like this.
Merkur is looking to convert an old pizza takeaway into a gaming center, but the council’s planning committee is not on board.
Cllr Tammy Palmer raised concerns about the area, which has many vulnerable folks and is near schools and churches. She pointed out that Sidwell Street is among the most deprived areas in the country.
She questioned whether a 24-hour gambling site fits in a multicultural community. Plus, she’s worried about the safety of people, especially women, coming and going from the arcade.
While Cllr Michael Mitchell acknowledged that Merkur usually wins planning appeals, he insisted this location isn’t suitable.
Cllr Gemma Rolstone added that putting a risky gambling site in a deprived area feels wrong. The councillors were asked if they would have backed the application if they had the chance, and most said no.
Now, their objections will be presented at the planning inspector’s appeal hearing.