North Yorkshire seaside town’s last bank could be turned into 24-hour ‘betting shop’

Whitby: Residents are upset about plans to change the last bank into a 24-hour gaming center. The Halifax branch on Baxtergate is the town’s only remaining bank. If approved, Luxury Leisure, also known as Admiral, will take over the site.

The bank was set to close in January but has pushed the date to May. Luxury Leisure claims that adult gaming centers can enhance town centers without hurting retail. They argue that reusing the site could help the town, which is facing decline.

However, locals are worried about possible antisocial behavior and losing access to banking services. Resident Andrea Tyreman believes the council should reject the plan, saying it prioritizes profits over community welfare.

Another resident, Emma Gates, expressed her concerns too. She feels Whitby needs more clothing and household stores, not more betting shops, which could harm the town’s character.

Luxury Leisure, part of the Novomatic Group, emphasizes its experience in the UK market. They claim to operate responsibly and assure there will be no noisy arcade games that attract underage visitors.

The company believes a 24-hour operation will increase foot traffic in the town center. Since 2015, Scarborough and Whitby have seen over 40% of their bank branches close, mirroring a national trend of more than 5,790 closures.

North Yorkshire Council has not yet set a decision date for this application, which is still open for public comments.