A FORMER Southampton bank will become a 24-hour adult gaming centre after plan were approved by civic chiefs.

The vacant Santander unit on Shirley Road will be transformed into a gambling store that will be open to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The plans were submitted by Merkur Slots UK, an online casino company, and were approved by Southampton City Council on June 9.

However, the gambling centre will only be open 24 hours a day for a total of 12 months.

Once the 12 month period is up, it must be open from 7am to 2am Monday to Sunday, including bank holidays.

One anonymous resident objected the plans, claiming that the open hours will lead to "more anti-social behaviour in the area".

In an open letter to the council, they said: "Does the applicant think the residents are stupid? It is cynical in the extreme.

"It will lead to more anti-social behaviour in an area already dogged by it and noise disturbance.

"I am willing to bet an application for an alcohol license will follow.

"I thought Labour councillors were supposed to be addressing anti-social behaviour?

"This will not generate income for the high street, it adds nothing except adding to the blight and encourage people to gamble money they do not have."

The plans say the machines in the centre will offer "low stakes" of between 10p and £2.

A large number of Merkur’s premises have bingo machines and tablets.

The plans describe adult gaming centres as a place "where people go to spend their spare change, have a game of bingo and enjoy their favourite pastime".

A planning statement claims that the adult gaming centre "would not compromise the vitality and viability of the town centre".

A total of 12 new jobs will be created in the area and will see the redecoration of the vacant building.