Not everyone is suffering from the financial recession it seems. One of the
UK's biggest gaming arcade operators, Ablethird Ltd, has decided that it will
not let the economic slump slow them down. Taking advantage of the low property
prices and the fact that dozens of banks have closed down, this arcade coming is
slowly buying up property deserted by banks and building societies and turning
them into gaming and entertainment arcades.
Ablethird Ltd, which is the property section of Agora, is reported to have
purchased approximately 20 properties previously occupied by banks and building
societies. Due to the drop in property prices, the firm has been able to receive
these properties at quite discounted prices. The local councils where the
property purchases have been taking place are less than pleased, but because of
the newly amended Gambling Act, the council appeals are often lost.
Ablethird's plans were brought to the media's attention recently when the
Preston City Council decided to reject plans to convert a former Woolwich
Building Society premises located in the center of town, to an arcade. Ablethird
appealed the council's decision despite the claim that the amusement arcade
would "have a detrimental impact upon the setting of the listed building and
upon the character and appearance of the conservation area."
According the UK Gambling Act of 2005, adult gaming arcades can offer up to
four Category B3/4 machines which have jackpot offerings of
£500 and unlimited lower prize machines which fall in
the C and D category.
Attempting to win the local residents' approval, the
arcade firm sent out a letter to planners explaining how they planned to develop
"high profile sites to attract custom." The letter stated that the arcades need
to be placed at a heavy pedestrian traffic area because the gaming is often a
quick stop for a shopper looking for a break and that they were gearing the
predominantly female adult market.
