A would-be bingo hall is hoping its numbers come up as the company behind the venture bid for a premises licence in Old Swan.
Merkur Slots UK Limited’s application for a bingo premises licence at the former Barclays bank building on Prescot Road will be heard by Liverpool Council next month. The bank closed its doors in December 2017 and has remained vacant ever since.
The building, which was grade II listed in July 1966, was left behind by Barclays after only 263 regular customers were using the branch and 78% of its users were choosing to bank via other methods. Almost 30 letters have been submitted to the local authority with differing views on how the building should be brought back to use.
READ MORE: Hundreds more dock workers to walk out at Port of Liverpool
The Milton Keynes-based company already operates a venue in Williamson Square for which it holds a bingo operating licence. The Gambling Commission defines bingo as “a lottery played as a game.”
The former bank building was built more than 100 years ago, constructed in brick with stone dressings and a slate roof. The building is three storeys tall with an L-plan with canted entrance bay in angle ending in octagonal turret.
Plans for the former bank have been hotly debated by members of the Old Swan community. One objector wrote: “Granting a gambling licence to a premises right in the centre of town would only encourage such groups to congregate, increasing criminal and antisocial behaviour.”
However, one resident wasn’t quite so downhearted toward the plan. They wrote: “I note there is a massive outcry on social media against this application for reasons I can’t quite work out.
“I for one am in absolute support of an empty building being brought back into use, I also think it's good that it is something very different compared to everything around it. I believe this will benefit local businesses by bringing different people into the area.”
One of those opting to contact the council about the plans said: “It would be of no benefit to this area which we are trying to keep a close residential community with shopping needs relevant to the residents. I hope this is clearer in my objections to the proposals.
“I would certainly be supportive to other considerations for use of the building which would be more in keeping with building the community rather than destroying it.” Concerns were also raised about the plans from ministers part of the Churches Together group in Old Swan.
Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee will consider the proposal on October 27.
READ NEXT
New Liverpool Council chief executive now officially in post
Steve Rotheram demands apology over national newspaper's claims about Liverpool's cultural scene
City centre lap dancing bar in bid to renew operating licence
Council begins 'substantial' debt recovery amid thousands owed from city car park
Schools 'snookered' by council contract gaffe could get energy pay back
