Whitby Residents Oppose 24-Hour Casino Plans
Residents of Whitby are fighting against plans to replace the town’s last high street bank with a 24-hour casino as they worry it will damage the town’s traditional charm and attract disruptive crowds.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:With Halifax set to close its branch in mid-May, company Luxury Leisure has proposed turning the building into an “adult gaming centre”. Town officials initially recommended approval, citing the need to keep the site in use, but the plan has sparked outrage. Over 500 objections were submitted, and Labour MP Alison Hume raised the issue in Parliament, urging North Yorkshire Council to reject the land-based casino proposal.
At a council meeting last week, the application was denied, but residents remain concerned as Luxury Leisure may appeal. The company has pledged a £500,000 investment and promised to create 12 jobs. It has 12 weeks to appeal the council’s decision.
Locals Fear Casino Will Change Whitby’s Character
Many residents worry the casino will attract rowdy visitors and undermine Whitby’s family-friendly reputation. One 84-year-old resident, Edith Harrison, said that people are “very annoyed” while another, Alan Landers, who runs a butcher shop, was worried about the impact it will have on his business.
It's no good for this street - it's honestly the last thing we need. There'll be train-loads coming down from Middlesbrough, drinking all night and ending up in the casino until the morning. I don't want my customers turning up and having to be confronted with that. If you want a casino, you can go to any big city - not a little, quaint fishing village. Whitby's losing its identity. This street used to be thriving with independent shops. Now it's just us, the baker's and the veg shop left. Now it's all charity shops.
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Luxury Leisure Defends Proposal
Luxury Leisure insists the venue will boost footfall to the town center, that it won’t include noisy arcade and slot machines attracting under-18s, and that it will create jobs.
Despite these assurances, there is still a large amount of opposition. At the meeting, 523 objections were recorded, with only six in favor.
Councilor Derek Bastiman warned that Whitby will “become the Las Vegas of the East Coast” while Councilor Janet Jefferson warned, “Once you open the floodgates, that will be that. Whitby is unique, and we should maintain that.”
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