Future Leisure has submitted a change of use application for the former Clinton Cards in Bedford town centre, after securing a premises licence earlier this year.

The submission concerns only the ground floor unit of the Victorian building, with the first and second floor remaining as ancillary office and storage space.

“The former card shop, on the corner of Silver Street and Harpur Street, has sat empty for 15 months, and the applicant has agreed a ten-year lease of its ground floor premises,” reported Bedford Today.

“Future Leisure Limited says it will invest in the region of £250,000 to transform the premises from a shop into a new, fully kitted-out adult gaming centre which will operate 24/7.”

The plans have already received objections from local councillors, as well as representatives of the church, and the council’s public health team, however the licensing sub-committee has stated there is “little evidence any existing gambling premises had been associated with crime or noise.

If approved, the site would become Bedford’s third 24-hour AGC, operating alongside Merkur Slots on the High Street, and a second Merkur Slots in Allhallows.

Future Leisure has also received approval to install illuminated fascia signs and two projecting signs on the exterior of the premises.