By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
A derelict former butcher shop in the centre of Mansfield is due to get a new lease of life after plans were approved for a 24-hour adult gaming and bingo centre.
The former Crawshaws building, in West Gate, has been vacant since the company went into administration in 2018, with the Mansfield branch closing its doors alongside dozens of other UK sites.
The building has remained unused since, despite its location on one of the town centre’s busiest shopping streets and close location to popular businesses like McDonald’s, Marks and Spencer and the Four Seasons shopping centre.
But now the building, which dates back to the 1700s, is due to be brought back into use after Mansfield District Council approved major conversion plans.
The application, submitted by gambling firm Amuse 2016 Ltd, will see 3-5 West Gate transformed into the bingo hub, with the majority of the business to trade within 3 West Gate.
Its application states the ‘gaming area’ will be based on the ground floor, with staff facilities spread across the two buildings on the first floor.
The existing Crawshaws branding will also be removed in favour of a new shopfront, with the company outlining its plans to “respect the character of the building” and other historic sites within the town centre.
The application said: “The premises would trade 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“The proposed external alterations to the premises are of a modest nature, comprising the replacement of the existing shopfront and new signage to West Gate.
“The shopfront would respect the character of the building and the traditional pattern of shopfronts in the locality, in terms of materials, style and scale.
“The [site is] located within a highly commercialised part of the town centre, with no residential properties apparent within the immediate vicinity.”
Documents add the business will be managed by Shipleys, which operates bingo halls in Bristol, Kidderminster and London’s Edmonton Green.
The company’s existing sites feature a bingo hall and slot machines including Monopoly, Rainbow Riches and Black Knight.
The plans were approved by Mansfield District Council on February 3 and the conversion is expected to begin in the coming months.
