Bid for 24-hour adult gaming centre refused

A bid to convert a town's former WH Smith shop into an 24-hour adult gaming centre has been refused over concerns it would exacerbate anti-social behaviour.

Godden Gaming Organisation wanted to turn the vacant building in the centre of Bridgwater, Somerset, into a centre with slot machines and create up to seven part-time and two full-time jobs.

In November 2025 Somerset Council's licensing team agreed the company could have a licence for the gambling facility but councillors on the planning committee threw the application out on 11 August.

Councillor Brian Smedley said: "It's not an area that we need to be making worse by sending out the wrong signals."

The Godden family have been in the gaming industry for more than 40 years and operate more than 400 adult gaming centres across the UK under the 'Palace Amusements' brand, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Avon and Somerset Police raised "no concerns" about the licence at the time of the application in November 2025, the LDRS said.

Jeremy Godden, the managing director of the Godden Gaming Organisation, previously said there was "absolutely no evidence that high street gaming centres cause any anti-social behaviour".

Godden has been approached for comment.

Smedley said: "There are two other sites like this close by and there are also seven betting shops nearby as well.

"You kind of wonder what the point of going into the town centre is now, when it used to be for retail.

"Just behind this site is a considerable residential area. People do suffer with a lot of the anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

"I've gone down the side streets at the request of retailers and found people using all sorts of substances."

Councillor Kathy Pearce said: "We should be enhancing the image of the town centre.

"I don't believe an adult gaming centre, right in the centre of town, within a prominent position and within our dock conservation area, will enhance the centre."

It is not yet clear whether the applicant will appeal against the council's decision.

According to the Gambling Commission, which regulates gambling activities in the UK, adult gaming centres can have an unlimited number of low-stake slot machines.

The maximum stake of any machine is £2 and the maximum prize is £500.

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