Town centre’s former Barclays bank to be turned into casino

A town’s former bank could soon become a casino. Merkur Slots Ltd, a German adult gaming firm, wants to fill the vacant Barclays building in Oldham town centre with slot machines and betting games. 

The Grade-II listed building on 25 High Street has been vacant since October 2023, apparently receiving ‘limited interest’ from other retailers.

Now Merkur plans to bring the basement and ground floor of the building back into operation and has applied for a ‘Change of Use’ from the council. 

A planning statement from the developers said: “The proposals involve the change of use of a vacant former bank to an adult gaming centre. As such, the proposals involve the change of use from one town centre use to another, and the introduction of a leisure use within Oldham town centre, which will support the centre during the daytime and also contribute to the centre’s evening and night-time economy.” 

The site is directly opposite the Spindles shopping centre and around a minute’s walk away from three similar businesses – Admiral Slots on Henshaw St, Royal Amusements on Curzon St, and Storey’s Amusements on Market Place, as well as a William Hill betting shop on Yorkshire St. 
Merkur, who run 700 venues across Europe, were at pains to emphasise they are ‘not a betting shop’. 

“Our venues are often, unfortunately, put into the same category as betting shops,” another planning document read. “This is because there is a widespread misunderstanding of how gaming centres operate and who our customers are.”

The shop would be open 24/7 and would be staffed. Merkur said they believed a new addition to Oldham’s night-time economy would be ‘welcomed’ and that it would bring the disused building back into use. 

The developers have also applied to make small alterations to the outside of the building, such as putting up signage.
The proposal is currently open for public consultation and then will be determined by town planners.