Casino's 24/7 Opening Rejection a 'Little Victory'
18 March 2026
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Pritti MistryEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
The father of a man who took his own life after ending up being addicted to gaming has called the refusal of a 24-hour betting store in Spalding a "small victory that will ripple across other neighborhoods".
Merkur Slots lost its preparation interest open 24 hours a day at its Hall Place place recently.
Dismissing the operator's appeal, the Planning Inspectorate stated it discovered "harm in respect of the result on the living conditions of neighbouring citizens" and there was "restricted benefits of the proposal".
Charles Ritchie, who established national charity Gambling with Lives with his better half Liz after their child Jack's death in 2017, invited the decision and stated the "tide is turning versus" big gambling establishment firms.
In July 2022, Merkur Slots was approved permission to operate from 07:00 to midnight Mondays to Saturdays and 10:00 to midnight on Sundays.
But the company desired to remove those restrictions and battled for the rights to stay open all hours.
Planners turned down the quote on March 12, saying a 24-hour operation would negatively impact neighbouring homeowners with regard to "noise and disruption".
Ritchie stated it was "great news for Spalding" and he was delighted opinions by residents had been acted on.
"Up until recently, there's been a type of sensation of anguish. You can't do anything.
"So I think this is a small triumph, but it is a message and it is something that does have ripples throughout other neighborhoods."
Merkur Slots has actually been approached for remark.
The Ritchie family, from Sheffield, have actually been campaigning for gambling industry reform considering that the Hull University graduate killed himself while battling a gambling addiction.
18 March 2026
ShareSave
Pritti MistryEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
The father of a man who took his own life after ending up being addicted to gaming has called the refusal of a 24-hour betting store in Spalding a "small victory that will ripple across other neighborhoods".
Merkur Slots lost its preparation interest open 24 hours a day at its Hall Place place recently.
Dismissing the operator's appeal, the Planning Inspectorate stated it discovered "harm in respect of the result on the living conditions of neighbouring citizens" and there was "restricted benefits of the proposal".
Charles Ritchie, who established national charity Gambling with Lives with his better half Liz after their child Jack's death in 2017, invited the decision and stated the "tide is turning versus" big gambling establishment firms.
In July 2022, Merkur Slots was approved permission to operate from 07:00 to midnight Mondays to Saturdays and 10:00 to midnight on Sundays.
But the company desired to remove those restrictions and battled for the rights to stay open all hours.
Planners turned down the quote on March 12, saying a 24-hour operation would negatively impact neighbouring homeowners with regard to "noise and disruption".
Ritchie stated it was "great news for Spalding" and he was delighted opinions by residents had been acted on.
"Up until recently, there's been a type of sensation of anguish. You can't do anything.
"So I think this is a small triumph, but it is a message and it is something that does have ripples throughout other neighborhoods."
Merkur Slots has actually been approached for remark.
The Ritchie family, from Sheffield, have actually been campaigning for gambling industry reform considering that the Hull University graduate killed himself while battling a gambling addiction.