Councillors approve gambling arcade in Knaresborough despite addiction concerns

Councillors today approved a new gambling arcade opening on Knaresborough High Street despite hearing how the venue could exacerbate addiction during the cost-of-living crisis.

North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate & Knaresborough planning committee met this afternoon to discuss an application by Carl Bearman of Spectacular Bid Ltd to create an adult gaming centre inside the former Yorkshire Building Society building.

Adult gaming centres or arcades typically involve gambling for cash on machines that can include roulette, bingo or slots. Operators of arcades must have a licence from regulator the Gambling Commission.

Mr Bearman proposed the venue, which could have up to 35 machines, opens between 9am and 10pm for over-18s only.

With residential properties upstairs, he agreed a condition with the council whereby the machines would only operate at 25% their normal volume.

But Conservative councillor for Bilton and Nidd Gorge, Paul Haslam, queried what would happen if residents made a noise complaint to the council about the machines.

He said he knew of residents making complaints about barking dogs that had not been resolved by the council in over 18 months. Cllr Haslam said:

“What teeth will [the council] have if these machines are making people’s lives upstairs a misery? How will that be resolved? I’m really concerned about this.”

Harrogate-based Spectacular Bid Ltd was not represented at the meeting but council planning officer Stuart Mills responded to questions from councillors. Mr Mills said the council would be able to enforce against noise if the machines went higher than the agreed volume.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Knaresborough East, Hannah Gostlow, said she would be voting to refuse the application due to noise and its visual impact on the high street. Cllr Gostlow said:

“What if 25% is not quite enough for them? It would have to go through enforcement and we’ve heard worrying statements about enforcement.”

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Liberal Democrat councillor for Knaresborough West, Matt Walker, was unable to attend the meeting so Cllr Gostlow read out a statement on his behalf.

Cllr Walker, who works in the NHS, referred to statistics by gambling charity GamCare about rising gambling addiction during the cost-of-living crisis.

His statement said:

“Gambling has been part of our culture for centuries and many people are able to gamble without experiencing issues, however this is not the case for all and the harm from gambling has become a serious and worsening public health problem in the UK.

“GamCare said January 2023 was the month with the highest-ever call volume with it regularly hearing how the rising cost-of-living is affecting callers. People are gambling to win extra cash to pay the bills. Vulnerable people have been drawn in to places such as what is proposed here just to keep warm.”

However, despite saying he was “not a great fan” of gaming arcades, Conservative councillor for Boroughbridge and Claro, Robert Windass, said he felt there were no sound planning reasons to refuse the application, which was recommended for approval in an officer report.

This was echoed by Conservative councillor for Oatlands and Pannal, John Mann, who said:

“I think Matt’s comments are very eloquent. I also am concerned about potential for noise however I also hear what report says. 

“I realise noise will be restricted to 25% and that it will be controlled. Having read the report I’m not sure we’ve got sound planning grounds to refuse this, as much as we’d like to. I’ve racked my brains and can’t think of a ground to reject this on.”

Liberal Democrat councillor for Fairfax and Starbeck, Philip Broadbank, then suggested a condition is attached to reduce the hours the arcade closes from 10pm to 9pm, which was voted on and approved by four votes to two.

Councillors Mann, Windass, Haslam and Broadbank voted to approve with councillors Marsh and Gostlow voting against.

Ripon’s retro gaming arcade to close in July

New Wave Arcade in Ripon will close for good in July.

The venue on Westgate offers the chance to play games from the glory days of arcade gaming, including Street Fighter 2, Ridge Racer and Gunblade.

It was something a bit different for families in Ripon, as the Stray Ferret found out when we visited in March.

However, owner Rory Lofthouse said he has decided to close the business to concentrate on his wife’s health and his digital marketing company.

Mr Lofthouse said:

“It’s been well received in Ripon so it’s a shame I’m having to close it.

“I didn’t do it to make thousands of pounds, it was so there is something in Ripon for different generations to enjoy together. A lot of dads bring their kids to show them what they played when they younger.”

New Wave Arcade opened just a few weeks before the first covid lockdown and has had a stop-start existence.

Mr Lofthouse said things could have been different with the business if the pandemic didn’t happen when it did.

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Gamers who enjoyed visiting paid tributes on Facebook:

“Such a shame, the arcade was a great asset to Ripon.”

Another person said:

“We will definitely make sure we come down again before you close your doors. You’ll be sadly missed.”

New Wave Arcade’s last day will be on Saturday, July 23.

Mr Lofthouse is also selling off some of his machines. If you’re interested you can contact him rory@newwavearcade.co.uk