Why it matters: Ipswich Borough Council's Planning and Development Committee approved the application on Wednesday, allowing Admiral Slots to extend operating hours at 7 Upper Brook Street from 07:00-00:00 to round-the-clock operations.
The big picture: The venue joins three existing 24-hour gambling facilities within walking distance – Game Nation on Upper Brook Street, Merkur Slots on Carr Street, and Merkur Cashino on Westgate Street – creating a concentration of always-open gaming centres in the town centre.
The application was a variation of conditions attached to a previous planning permission that was initially refused in December 2022 but later allowed on appeal in November 2023. The original approval included restricted hours "for the reasons of protecting neighbouring amenity."
What they're saying: Councillor Jane Riley, ward member for Alexandra, objected to the proposals, arguing they would be "detrimental to the high street when there are already several adult gaming centres and betting shops within a short walking distance from the site."
She raised concerns about the "potential impact and risk to vulnerable people with the ease and accessibility of gambling 24 hours a day" and requested the matter be referred to the licensing committee.
The details: Planning officers approved the application after consulting with environmental protection officers, who confirmed no noise complaints had been received since the venue opened. A noise assessment found the premises would not cause disturbance to neighbouring properties, including flats above the venue.
Suffolk Constabulary stated they had no comments on the application, whilst the community safety officer confirmed no reports of anti-social behaviour from the location.
For context: The venue already holds a 24-hour premises licence granted by the council's licensing authority in November 2022, but planning restrictions had limited actual operating hours. Adult gaming centres can operate under different regulatory frameworks, with licensing and planning permissions sometimes having different requirements.
The bottom line: Despite concerns about vulnerable people and the concentration of 24-hour gambling venues, planning officers concluded there was insufficient evidence of harm to justify refusing the extended hours, particularly given the lack of complaints about existing operations.
