Plans revealed to convert another Derry city centre building into amusement arcade

By Alan Healy

Planning approval is being sought to extend an amusement arcade into an empty building at Shipquay Street in Derry, it has emerged.

A planning application has now been lodged with Derry City and Strabane Council seeking approval for the move.

The application was received by council last month.

The applicant, Bentley Leisure, is now seeking planning approval to for the change of use to 39 Shipquay Street to provide extension to a previously approved amusement arcade at 1-2 Bank Place.

A spokesperson for the council told the Derry News that the ‘application is currently under consideration’.

In June of this year a Derry granted permission for a new gambling arcade to open in Shipquay Street after a judge quashed a council decision to refuse the permit.

Newtownabbey-based Oasis Retail Services had lodged an application with Derry City and Strabane District Council for an amusement permit to open a gaming centre at Unit 23 on Level 2 of the Richmond Centre.

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

The unit has an entrance on to Shipquay Street.

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

However, a judge overturned the council’s ruling at a hearing of the Court of Appeal held at Derry Magistrates Court.