A gambling business has moved one step closer to opening an adult amusement arcade in the centre of the Isle of Wight’s county town.
The council has authorised Coopers Amusements Limited’s proposed shopfront signage for an adult gaming centre centre (AGC) at 93 High Street in Newport.
Lit up with an existing spotlight, the signage would consist of blue lettering on a grey background reading ‘Fortune Slots’.
The approved design was revised from a previous turquoise, white and bright blue scheme which a Newport and Carisbrooke community councillor criticised as ‘completely out of keeping’ with 2 neighbouring historic buildings: the 17th century Castle Inn and 19th century Holyrood Hall.
Councillor Vix Lowthion has also warned of the arcade’s potential to harm and exploit children and vulnerable people:
“School children walking from Newport bus station to the two high schools (Carisbrooke and Christ the King) pass this site twice a day.
“This central location would be appealing to young people – in Weymouth the police have voiced similar concerns about an AGC application in relation to under-18s entering the premises.
“The brand-new NHS Mental Health hub is across the road (30 metres) from this proposed location. The people visiting this building and undergoing treatment are much more susceptible to and at risk from problem gambling and crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.”
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County Hall said the proposed sign’s wording and colour had been changed ‘following negotiations’. Officers concluded the revised design ‘would not have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area’.
A Planning Statement written by Brown&Co JHWalter on behalf of Coopers Amusements said:
“The application proposes that the AGC will be open from 10:00 to 22:00 Monday to Sunday. Opening times are stereotypical for premises such as this, and the proposal would support both the daytime and evening economy, adding economic viability and vitality to the area.
“The proposal will employ 2 full-time jobs and one part-time which is considered to be a positive material and economic consideration in favour of the use.”
A final decision on the arcade is expected on 10th April.
Two things:
Remember the ‘never never’ shop with the massively high interest rates that opened up where Dotty Perks used to be? That was an indicator of an area of poverty writ large, as are pawn shops, pay-day loan co’s, pound shops and arcades on high streets. Once they take hold, an area deteriorates financially. Is that what we all want?
I wish you’d stop using the phrase ‘adult amusement’…makes it sound like a gambling front with a knocking shop behind.
Great.. more twats in addiction dole bums and scum..
Is it the business of the council to encourage the poor to throw away money they cannot afford?
People don’t have to go inside, what is Vix worrying
about, surely it will be for over 18’s only, so children
will not be exploited because they are not old enough
to enter.
Better than having another empty premises.
And you think the owners will check age, of course they won’t.
Wasn’t that ‘Happy Daze’, an independent record shop in the ’80s?
Why are there two barbers close to each other?
Yes it used to be Happy Daze.