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Dice rolled over plan to make old bank a casino

Nadia Lincoln
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Martin Heath
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Martin Heath/BBC Empty stone-built building with two large windows and large wooden door. The words "NORTHAMPTONSHIRE UNION BANK" can be seen in the stone above the windows and door. An adjacent estate agent is just visible to the left.Martin Heath/BBC
The building on Daventry High Street had been a bank since the early 1800s but it closed in 2017

The wheel of fortune has spun for a disused bank as plans have been revealed to turn it into a 24-hour casino.

All bets were off as to the future of the National Westminster branch in Daventry, Northamptonshire, which closed in 2017.

The smart money has since been put on the building becoming a round-the-clock supplier of games like roulette and poker.

However, Daventry Town Council has called its bluff by objecting to the proposal, saying it would have a "detrimental effect" on the area. A decision will be made by the end of the month.

The two-storey listed building in Daventry High Street opened as a private bank, Hall and Co, in 1809.

It was acquired by Northamptonshire Union Bank in the year Queen Victoria assumed the throne in 1837, before eventually becoming National Westminster Bank in 1970.

Google A two-storey stone building to the left with two large windows and a large wooden door on the ground floor. A white and cream building to the right with three storeys, all with large windows and white frames. There is a narrow dark-coloured door to the right.Google
The bank occupied both the old Union building and the adjacent shop, and both would become a casino under the plan

Dominic Rossookh, a former owner of Aspers Casino in Northampton, wrote in planning documents that the change of use from a bank to a casino would have a positive impact.

He said: "Externally it is un-kept and has graffiti, weeds and bird mess all over the frontage. We will bring the building back to its very best, becoming a landmark building in Daventry once again.

"We will also be providing jobs and facilities to local people. We will endeavour to buy local produce and support other businesses local to us. We will also make regular charity donations."

Mr Rossookh estimated it would create 25 full-time and 20 part-time jobs.

Getty Images A roulette wheel, showing the red and black numbers. There are chips in different colours to the right. A hand is visible spinning the wheel.Getty Images
The casino would be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

However, Daventry Town Council lodged an objection, saying: "The proposed change of use would have a detrimental impact on the vitality and viability of the local area and its amenities."

The council feared the new attraction would "contribute further to issues such as financial difficulties and family/relationship breakdowns, which would adversely impact the safe environment with increased anti-social behaviour, crime and fear of crime."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said West Northamptonshire Council's consultation on the plan finishes on 23 May and a decision was expected by the end of the month.

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