Plans for a 24/7 gaming venue on a Birmingham high street have been rejected, to the relief of local councillors and residents. The proposal would have allowed Admiral, a gaming chain operated by Luxury Leisure, to operate around the clock at its Northfield unit on Bristol Road South, formerly occupied by Boots Pharmacy.
Planning Application Rejected
The application to extend opening hours was turned down on April 22. Northfield councillor Esther Rai welcomed the decision, stating: "I’m really pleased to hear that this won’t be happening. We want more businesses on our high street, but ones that encourage investment and help build community."
Concerns Over Gaming Shop Density
The high street already hosts several betting and gaming outlets, including Betfred, Playland Amusements, Funspot Amusements, Admiral, and William Hill. The concentration has raised concerns about antisocial behaviour. Northfield MP Lawrence Turner previously highlighted the proximity of these shops to off-licences in Parliament, describing it as a "revolving door" contributing to local problems.
In a social media post, Turner said: "There's nothing wrong with having a drink (or a flutter). But I think there's a strong case for more local powers to restrict the sale of cheap super-strength drink in the proximity of betting shops."
As of April 27, Luxury Leisure had not submitted an appeal against the rejection.
