Casino slot venue plan in Poole refused by shopping centre
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CONTROVERSIAL plans for a casino centre gaming in a shopping complex have been called off amid objections from consultees – including the site owner.
Residents, councillors, a headteacher and even the owners of Poole’s Dolphin shopping centre rallied against Trident Gaming’s plan to open an adult slot machine gaming centre in empty commercial units fronting Poole bus station.
More than 50 objections were lobbied against the proposal, called Trident Casino Slots, which would cater for over-18s with a mix of gambling and gaming machines. While the machines would not give cash prizes, tickets would be exchanged for monetary prizes.
According to the applicant, the lack of cash prizes “reduces the need to store cash on site which safeguards against crime”.
Parent company J Holland & Sons own a chain of similar venues across the UK, including the existing Triden Casino Slots in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.
The application was ‘red carded’ or called-in by ward councillor Mark Howell to be determined by BCP Council’s planning committee. He said the area around the bus station has “a history of anti-social behaviour” and felt the venue would exacerbate such issues.
Also objecting was Poole High School headteacher Paul Gray, who said: “Children need to travel safely to and from school without the potential peer or social pressure to be drawn into any unhealthy habits.”
However the plans were dealt a fatal blow after the Dolphin centre owners and management team, Legal & General, told the Echo they would not progress with the retailer’s application.
Greg Westover, fund head of retail and leisure at Legal & General, said: “We can confirm that the Dolphin Centre’s management team will not progress with Trident Casino’s application.
“The business will therefore not open at The Dolphin.
“Delivering on the community’s wants and needs remains a top priority for us. We’re truly proud of the Dolphin – we understand the important role it plays in the community, and so our focus is to ensure that this positive impact continues.”
The application has since been withdrawn and will not be considered by BCP Council.
Poole High Street is already home to already established and long standing slot machine gaming centre, Admiral, which itself replaced Quicksilver.
