Proposals to transform a former Thomas Cook store into an amusement centre have been thrown out for a second time.
Slots Trading submitted a bid to change the use of the vacant travel agents in Canterbury High Street from retail to an arcade incorporating bingo.
The firm argues the site has been marketed as a ‘prime shop to let’ since March 2021 and has not been advertised for another use - other than its current retail one.
Planning documents claim there has been interest in the empty store for other non-retail uses and a deal has been agreed for a bingo arcade.
However, the local authority disputed this and refused the bid for a second time because it would lead to losing a retail unit.
Arcades which include bingo are largely amusement centres with electronic gaming machines - rather than how it is traditionally played.
“These establishments are common in town centres and high street locations and are considered functionally compatible in this location,” the planning application states.
“Premises of this type generate no more noise than other retail uses and attract a similar customer base to the nearby shops and commercial activities.”
The developer says the building’s layout will be largely unchanged, but there will be minor works, including a new entrance lobby, bar servery area and disabled toilet.
Access into the unit would have been unchanged via the high street.
Slots originally proposed the amusement centre be open 24 hours a day, which the firm argues is “not uncommon in bingo arcades”.
But the opening times were amended to between 8am and 11pm.
It also says it allows for “increased vitality and viability of both the daytime and evening economies”.
Licensing would only have allowed entry after 9pm by staff - with the door locked after this time.
Three people objected to the proposals, as well as the Canterbury Heritage and Design Forum, and the Canterbury Society.
Slots argues the site has been marketed for more than three years and there has been no interest in it being used for retail.
But a council planning officer’s report states the agent’s brochure advertising the property says the unit would be “subject to five yearly upward only rent reviews”.
“This inclusion could also have restricted the level of interest as if economic conditions worsened there would be no option to renegotiate a lower rent,” they said.
They also argue there is no evidence the site was advertised for sale as well as for rent which would “further restrict the potential interest to the market”.
The planning officer added: “No evidence was supplied to show that the property benefitted from a physical sign advertising the property for lease or sale.
“From the information provided, it would appear the applicant has relied upon digital marketing to advertise the property which again is restrictive.”
The planning application was refused because it would lead to losing a retail unit and was branded “unjustified and harmful”.
An officer refused proposals last year for the same reason - while they were concerned the proposed opening hours would “give rise to an unacceptable degree of noise and disturbance late at night and in the early morning”.
Slots, which according to Companies House is registered at The Brenchley in Maidstone High Street, was contacted for comment.
