William Hill Eyes Bingo Return in Whitby

Last year, William Hill PLC, a long-established high street bookmaker (and online bingo operator) announced a cull of businesses in a bid to recoup losses, and as a result of this, many betting shops were forced to close their doors for good. On the list of nationwide shop closures was a betting shop in a prime location in the fishing town of Whitby, Yorkshire, and until now, it has stood empty, but that could soon change.

Almost a year after being forced to close, Hill has decided to try and encourage customers back to the location, only with bingo instead of sports betting services after an application was submitted to Scarborough Council on Monday 17^th August.

The company is looking to bring the building back to life and despite once blaming the decline in gaming terminal revenues for a loss in profits, the plans submitted state that there will also be slot machines for customer use. The premises will be open from 9am until 11pm, 7 days a week, but not everyone is happy about it!

All for It?

In the application submitted to the borough council, William Hill states: “The clear primary use of the premises would be a bingo hall, however, there are a small number of electronic bingo machines and an even smaller number of slot machines. The overall use would be as a bingo hall.”

One objection has already been submitted by a local resident who says gambling inevitably “prays on vulnerable people,” before adding that the premises should be in a different location, but even if it was located another location, the resident said, “even then I’d probably object.”

While the plan is out to consultation, many residents are taking this time to voice their dissatisfaction at what could be to come. One said: “This will again cheapen Whitby. What is needed is an all year business that heightens the heritage of the area, NOT tat where the druggies will spend their time.”

Another added: “A prime retail position that couldn't make it pay as a bookie, because people were not daft enough to throw money into gaming machines. So, let's turn a shop into a bingo hall, but we will still put gaming machines in. If people want to play bingo there are enough places just a short walk away.”

There are several bingo halls surrounding Whitby already, which has led many to believe that the offering of bingo games is clearly a smokescreen for other betting services. We can expect a decision on the application within the next few months, but we’ve a feeling this isn’t going to be as straightforward as William Hill suspect.

Source: “Plans to Transform Former Whitby Bookmaker into Bingo Hall”. Yorkshire Coast Radio. August 17, 2020.