New late-night 'adult gaming centre' to open in South Shields at closed King Street Tui travel agents building

Plans were lodged with South Tyneside Council to change the use of 48 King Street in the town centre.

The two-storey building was last occupied by national travel agent brand Tui, but has been vacant for more than a year.

New plans from Cashino Gaming Ltd aimed to set up an adult arcade at the site, operating under the Merkur Slots brand, offering low stakes slot machines, bingo machines and tablets.

According to a planning statement from the applicant, the centre would not offer fixed-term betting terminals normally associated with betting shops.

Instead, it aimed to provide a place for people to “spend their spare change, have a game of bingo and enjoy their favourite pastime.”

Applicants confirmed that Merkur Slots venues typically operate on a 24-hour basis and that similar hours were being proposed in South Shields.

They added the customer base in the late evening/early hours is normally the ‘local entertainment workforce’ and shift workers.

However, the proposed 24-hour bid was scaled back after Northumbria Police raised concerns during a council consultation.

The force’s neighbourhood inspector said the premises could become a “gathering point” which could lead to anti-social behaviour.

A police statement in a council planning report reads: “South Shields town centre already has issues with street drinking and begging (often aggressively) and that has some linkage to shop theft.

“[Police] concerns are that the premises might become the focal point for the street community and that in turn could lead to further issues in the town as the local authority continues their re-development programme.”

The police also asked the applicant to consider closing the adult gaming centre at midnight due to the ‘resourcing issues’ 24-hour opening times may create.

Meanwhile, a statement from the applicant stressed policies and security measures would be put in place to ensure the premises, customers and relationships with neighbours are “well-managed.”

After considering all comments, South Tyneside Council’s planning department approved the adult gaming centre application on February 24, 2021.

Agreed opening hours included 8am to midnight, Monday to Sunday, to support the “prevention of crime and disorder in the local area.”

During consultation, comments were also submitted on behalf of an unnamed local business objecting to the plans.

Concerns included the gaming centre “failing to promote the vitality and viability of the town centre retail offer” while also adding to an “overconcentration of non-retail shop uses on King Street.”

However, council planners raised no issues with the principle of development.

The council decision report added: “It is considered that the proposed use would be appropriate to its commercial town centre location; and would not result in the unacceptable loss of a retail unit or cause harm to the viability and vitality of South Shields town centre.

“The proposal would bring a vacant unit back into use and would help to promote the long-term vitality and viability of the town centre (in part through the diversification and promotion of the evening economy).”

For more information on the plans, visit South Tyneside Council’s ‘planning portal’ and search planning reference ST/1045/20/FUL

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