Politicians to debate plans for new amusement arcade

Politicians to debate plans for new amusement arcade

8 March 2023

A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to redevelop a former bank in Downpatrick town centre into a new amusement arcade and adult gaming centre will be discussed by local politicians this morning.

The application to transform the former Bank of Ireland building in Market Street was being recommended for approval by local planners at last month’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Planning Committee.

But a decision was deferred to provide planners with an opportunity to ascertain the number of entertainment, amusement and gambling businesses currently operating in the town.

Councillors will be told at this morning’s meeting of the Planning Committee that there are five such businesses and that while permission was granted for a sixth, it was never formally implemented.

A number of local politicians and Downpatrick Town Committee are opposed to the proposed development which is being spearheaded by a Newtownabbey-based company which owns Joyland Amusements in Newcastle.

Oasis Retails Services Limited says its proposal which includes a £350,000 refurbishment investment which will create up to 12 new jobs.

If the planners’ recommendation is subsequently rubber-stamped today, the Market Street arcade and gaming centre would open seven days a week from 9am until midnight from Monday to Saturday and from 11.30am until midnight on Sunday.

Those opposed to the plan argue permission should not be granted at a time when work is underway to regenerate Downpatrick town centre and a new group has been established to oversee this vital work. 

Concern has been expressed that the arcade would impact on efforts to regenerate Downpatrick town centre and could potentially deter future development and impact on footfall. In addition, concern has been voiced that the arcade conflicts with the local authority’s regeneration and economic development strategy.

Oasis has previously stated in planning papers that it is keen to establish a presence in Downpatrick and is dedicated to the promotion of responsible gaming, with its various premises across the province designed to cater for mature customers and only those over 18 will be permitted.

The company says it has identified the former Bank of Ireland building as an “ideal opportunity” to provide a “quality location” which will not result in any loss of retail floorspace within the town centre and that its plan can enhance Downpatrick’s evening economy.

Downpatrick Town Committee has sought clarity from planners on the function of a ‘recreational facility’ as the proposal for the former bank building is for an adult gaming centre.

It contends that planners have “failed” to take into consideration the ongoing collaboration by Newry Mourne and Down Council, the Department for Communities, the Ministerial Advisory Group for Built Architecture and Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group.

The committee, which draws its membership from a number of sectors, insists that the planning application is “contrary to the needs of the public and as such will have an unacceptable adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the existing town centre.” 

Planners say the proposal to redevelop the former bank will not result in the loss of a retail unit given the Market Street building was a former bank and that the proposed development would not break up an otherwise continuous shopping frontage.

They say there is no change to the building’s internal floorspace and that no evidence has been provided regarding the impact of the proposed arcade on the proposed regeneration of Downpatrick, noise, disturbance and long opening hours.

“In terms of the proposal putting off potential investors to the town or hampering regeneration efforts, there has been no evidence presented as to how this proposal will discourage shoppers from visiting Downpatrick town centre or investing in it,” planners have stated.