The campaign against a proposed adult gaming centre in Cheltenham has gathered pace with more than 80 objections.

Luxury Leisure wanted to transform the former ShoeZone building at 218 High Street into a 24-hour gambling centre with up to 60 slot machines.

Horrified locals said the "dreadful" centre has no place in the Regency town, especially at a time of economic crisis.

Gambling centres are a "blight on the lives of people" which lead to "deprivation in society", said one objector.

Another said: "As the son-in-law of an addicted gambler I can personally attest to the outright misery to which gambling can lead.

"With its growing prevalence amongst young people and the rise in suicide rates related to gambling any increase in its availability must be fiercely resisted."

Objectors also said it would cause an increase in antisocial behaviour and there was no need for another gambling centre in the area.

The town's cultural boss has now called for it to go before councillors for discussion.

Councillor Max Wilkinson (Lib Dem, Oakley), cabinet member for economic development, culture, tourism and wellbeing, has also objected and asked for the application to go before the planning committee.

He said: "This proposal detracts from the work undertaken by the public and private

sectors, including this council, to lift this part of the town centre over the past decade."

In recent years, the Brewery Quarter and Cheltenham Borough Council have made multi-million pound investments into the area to bring it up to a higher standard.

The council has recently invested £4.6million into the £7.7million Minster Exchange project and purchased Poundland and two other nearby shops for £3.3m to enhance the area.

Cllr Wilkinson said the gambling centre would undermine this work and have a negative impact on impact on other future potential investment. He also expressed concern that the venue would take advantage of people who suffer from gambling addiction.

He said if council officers were minded to allow the plans, they should be discussed by the planning committee first.

Demelsa Coleman, marketing manager of The Brewery Quarter, has spoken out against the plans , alongside other business owners and there have been formal objections from local councillors, Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce, St James Action Group, St Matthew's and the Minster church.

The environmental health department said there would be a negative noise impact on local residents from the "cumulative impact of an entire centre of these machines".

MP Alex Chalk also blasted the plans  and said it would have a negative impact on local businesses and residents and "undermine" the efforts of the Brewery Quarter, Minster Quarter and town centre to provide a high-quality retail and cultural offer.

Luxury Leisure, part of Novomatic UK Ltd, runs almost a quarter of the adult gaming centres (AGCs) across the UK, with 245 sites operating under the Admiral brand.

In its application it said plans for the shop, which has been vacant since March 2022, would contribute towards "town centre vitality and viability" by bringing the premises back into use and increasing footfall in the town centre.

It added: "There is no evidence to suggest that AGCs cause problem gambling or contribute towards other negative health and wellbeing outcomes."

It said no alcohol would be served or allowed on site and it would operate a Think 25 policy.

Punchline has contacted Luxury Leisure for a response to the objections.