Plans to establish a 24-hour adult gaming centre in the heart of Bridgwater have been refused by the local planning committee, despite a premises licence having been granted the previous year. The unit at 14-15 Cornhill, part of the Celebration Mile shopping area, has stood vacant since WHSmith closed its doors there in September 2024.
East Kent Leasing Ltd., owned by the Godden family with over 40 years' experience operating more than 400 gaming centres nationwide under the Palace Amusements brand, submitted two applications, in January and May, seeking to convert the space into a gambling venue. The plans proposed creating up to seven part-time and two full-time jobs, with minimal alterations to the building’s layout. The shopfront was to be finished in black granite with a toughened, laminated entrance door.
Although Somerset Council’s licensing team approved a premises licence in November 2025 without objections from Avon and Somerset Constabulary, concerns were raised by Bridgwater Town Council, which formally objected to the planning applications. The council questioned the lack of evidence supporting a decline in demand for retail use and expressed fears that the gaming centre could exacerbate antisocial behaviour in the area.
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These concerns were echoed by the planning committee north, responsible for major applications within the former Sedgemoor district, which met on 11 August to review the proposal. Councillors highlighted the concentration of similar gambling venues nearby - two adult gaming centres within 150 metres and seven betting shops in close proximity - raising worries about the impact on the town centre’s retail character and local residents.
Councillor Matt Martin noted the problematic clustering of gambling outlets and cautioned against ignoring the challenges associated with gambling. Councillor Brian Smedley referenced the rise in antisocial behaviour reported by retailers, emphasising that additional gambling establishments could aggravate the situation. Councillor Kathy Pearce highlighted the potential harm to the town centre’s image, particularly given the unit’s prominent location within the dock conservation area.
Conservative Councillor Alan Bradford added perspective on broader town centre challenges, lamenting the decline of traditional retail due to online shopping and expressing personal disappointment at the loss of WHSmith.
Following approximately an hour of debate, the planning committee voted to refuse the application. East Kent Leasing Ltd. has yet to announce whether it intends to appeal this decision.