Council being taken to court over decision to refuse permit for city centre gaming arcade

Council being taken to court over decision to refuse permit for city centre gaming arcade Derry City and Strabane District Council is being taken to court over its decision to refuse a permit to a company to open a gaming arcade in the city centre.

Newtownabbey-based Oasis Retail Services had lodged an application with the Council for an amusement permit to open a gaming centre at Unit 23 on Level 2 of the Richmond Centre (pictured).

The unit has an entrance on to Shipquay Street.

The company had to install 70 gaming machines at the unit, formerly occupied by Dunnes Stores, which has lain empty for the past 14 years.

However, the application was refused after councillors unanimously voted against it at a meeting of the council’s Health and Community committee in February.

That meeting was told three objections had been received via email and a 45-page petition against the proposal was also received.

Oasis were given leave to appeal the decision and it has now emerged the company is now taking the matter to court.

A number of councillors may be asked to appear at the court hearing as witnesses.