Shipley’s Gaming has been granted approval to open a new AGC in Leicester, having previously purchased the former Ginns and Gutteridge Funeral Directors premises on Narborough Road.

Plans for the 24-hour ground floor premises were submitted in February, with the company noting it would create jobs and promote local investment, while contributing to the economy of the area.

“The applicant has set-out how the business would operate, including not serving alcohol, not playing live music and monitoring customers for age appropriateness and intoxication,” stated the planning officer’s report.

“Entry would be controlled through magnetic doors and staff would be suitably trained… On this basis I am satisfied that the proposed use is not likely to unacceptably increase local anti-social behaviour.”

As well as outlining the positive economic impact of the new AGC, Shipley also detailed the “acoustic upgrades” added to minimise the impact on the two flats above, after planning officers raised noise concerns over a previous application submitted by the company in April 2023, also on Narborough Road.

Though Leicester City Council received a number of objections to the latest proposal, the Mercury wrote that “some people did welcome the empty buildings being brought back into use.”