Plans to convert the Halifax branch on Baxtergate, Whitby, have been rejected by councillors following the complaints of over 500 residents.
On March 13th 2025, councillors in Whitby made a decisive move to reject the proposal of Luxury Leisure to convert the Halifax bank on Baxtergate into a gambling venue. This decision has led to celebrations across the town as the decision is viewed as one that will protect the essence and future of the town.
Luxury Leisure’s plan is to turn the only high street bank in Baxtergate into a 24-hour adult gaming centre. With the bank branch set to be closed in mid-May, Luxury Leisure had proposed a £500,000 investment into the project. The community will, in turn, benefit from the jobs the investment will provide.
This move leans into the developing gambling community in Whitby. Presently, the go-to source for Whitby’s gambling community is online casino platforms that offer options like live dealer games and popular slot titles anyone can play from the comfort of their home. This huge selection of bonuses, rewards, and promotions available to residents ensures that people still have access to iGaming activity. (Source: https://www.cardplayer.com/uk/online-casinos).
The community have revolted towards the project, making their concerns known about how the project doesn’t align with the town’s values and vision. The complaints show the community’s commitment to preserving Whitby’s character and heritage despite the need to embrace modern economic opportunities.
With over 500 residents lodging formal objections towards the initiative, the presiding council took swift action to make sure the residents got their desires. Local MP Alison Hume amplified these concerns by presenting a petition to Parliament, reflecting the community’s unified stance against the proposal.
In the meeting where the proposal was rejected, a local politician, Coun Derek Bastiman echoed that if the casino gets approved, ‘Whitby will become the Las Vegas of the East Coast’. Hume also hopes that Luxury Leisure doesn’t appeal the decision, but if they do, she is confident that residents will continue to oppose it and ensure the site is used for the community’s benefit.
While other councillors are discussing restrictions to the casino’s operating hours, Cllr Janet Jefferson believes opening up the town to such development is just not right. She further stated that she isn’t in support of the project, emphasizing that Whitby is a unique town and should be kept that way.
While the council cited unsuitable location, noise disturbance and loss of amenity as reasons for the rejection, Haris Kasuji, the agent for the application, told the committee that the project posed no harmful noise impact or problems for environmental health officers.
In his statement, he said that his clients are the largest agency operator in the United Kingdom and they uphold the high standards that the government expects of them. The company also has an excellent record as a socially responsible operator and has never had a license revoked or reviewed, making this a first for them. When asked if there would be an appeal, Haris Kasuji stated that it was up to his clients to decide.
According to its latest census (2021), Whitby’s population is about 12,595. Residents of this historic town hope this is the last they would hear about the proposal but if it isn’t, they would continue to fight.
