Daventry Casino Approval 2025: Former NatWest Bank on High Street Converted to 24-Hour Gaming Venue Despite Community Objections and Council Review
Introduction to the Daventry High Street Casino Development Project
The West Northamptonshire Council has granted approval for the conversion of a former NatWest bank building located at 44-46 High Street in Daventry into a fully operational 24-hour casino facility despite receiving numerous objections from local stakeholders. This decision marks a significant change for the vacant property which closed its doors as a bank branch back in 2017 and has remained unused since that time according to official records. The applicant behind this initiative is Dominic Farhad Rossookh who serves as the director of Nines Casino Ltd and has a background in managing casino operations including a brief involvement with the former Aspers Casino in Northampton at the end of 2024. The proposed venue will utilize the ground floor primarily for gaming activities focused on poker along with additional options such as slot machines and lower-stakes roulette tables to attract a diverse clientele. Additional features planned for the site include a small bar area combined with a lounge space a dedicated dining section and seating arrangements designed for viewing live sports events on screens. No structural alterations will occur to the exterior or interior of the building which holds Grade II listed status ensuring that any new signage complies with heritage preservation guidelines set by local authorities.
Key Details of the Approved Casino Plans in Daventry Town Center
The approved plans specify that the casino will operate around the clock providing continuous access to gambling services within the heart of Daventry’s high street environment. This location sits in close proximity to another existing 24-hour gambling establishment situated in Bowen Square which is reachable within a short five-minute walk from the site. The development is projected to generate twenty-five full-time positions and twenty part-time roles once the casino reaches full operational capacity contributing to local employment opportunities in the service and hospitality sectors. The applicant emphasized during the submission process that the venue would cater mainly to poker enthusiasts drawn from a broader regional area rather than relying solely on spontaneous visitors passing through the town center streets. This focus on skill-based games like poker distinguishes it from establishments centered on pure chance activities although slot machines and roulette will still form part of the offerings available to patrons.
Objections Raised by Daventry Town Council and Local Residents
Daventry Town Council formally objected to the casino proposal citing potential adverse effects on the health and overall wellbeing of vulnerable community members in the area. Their concerns included the risk of exacerbating financial difficulties among residents leading to breakdowns in family relationships and an uptick in anti-social behaviors that could heighten crime rates or the fear of crime within the town. In addition to the council’s stance sixty individual objections came from members of the public who expressed worries about the suitability of introducing a casino into the historic town center particularly within a heritage-protected building like the former bank. These submissions highlighted broader issues such as the promotion of gambling habits in a community setting and the potential for increased social problems stemming from easy access to 24-hour gaming facilities near residential zones.
West Northamptonshire Council Decision and Regulatory Context
West Northamptonshire Council planning officers reviewed the application and issued approval on September 9 following standard procedures under UK planning laws. Councillor Kamala Guliyeva who represents the Daventry South ward noted that local authorities possess limited powers to block such developments outright and instead focus on enhancing high streets through the introduction of quality retail and bespoke shopping experiences. The approval comes with conditions that prohibit any physical modifications to the structure while mandating that all external signage respects the Grade II listed heritage features of the frontage to preserve architectural integrity. This decision aligns with broader UK gambling regulations overseen by the Gambling Commission which require operators to adhere to licensing standards aimed at protecting consumers and preventing harm from excessive gambling activities. The process involved evaluating the application’s compliance with local development plans that seek to revitalize vacant properties in town centers without compromising community standards.
Background on Applicant Dominic Rossookh and Nines Casino Ltd
Dominic Farhad Rossookh born in August 1985 holds directorial positions at Nines Casino Ltd and The N Casino Ltd as documented in Companies House records. His involvement in the gambling sector includes a short-term acquisition of the former Aspers Casino site in Northampton toward the end of 2024 before transferring ownership to another entity shortly thereafter. Nines Casino Ltd operates from addresses in the West Midlands region such as Brierley Hill and Kingswinford indicating a base outside of Northamptonshire for administrative purposes. This background provides context for Rossookh’s experience in managing casino venues which likely influenced the detailed planning submission for the Daventry project emphasizing operational aspects like job creation and targeted gaming focus.
Analysis: Economic Benefits Versus Social Concerns in UK Casino Developments
The approval of the Daventry casino illustrates a common tension in UK town planning where economic revitalization through new businesses clashes with community apprehensions about social impacts from gambling establishments. On one hand the project promises to inject employment into the local economy with forty-five new jobs in total which could stimulate spending in surrounding retail and service areas on the high street. Industry data from 2025 shows that the UK gambling sector supports over one hundred nine thousand jobs nationwide while contributing thirty-six point eight billion pounds in economic output annually highlighting its role as a significant employer. However thinktank analyses suggest that online and physical gambling can reduce overall economic activity by one point three billion pounds per year and lower wages by two point six billion pounds due to associated harms like addiction and financial strain on households. In small towns like Daventry the proximity of multiple gambling venues raises risks of concentrated harms as evidenced by government reviews on gambling-related issues affecting families and vulnerable groups. Regulatory frameworks such as the Gambling Act 2005 provide guidelines for large and small casinos but local councils often call for greater powers to implement cumulative impact assessments when handling license applications to better address clustered developments. This case underscores the need for balanced approaches that weigh job creation against potential increases in anti-social behavior and health service demands in community settings.
Statistical Overview: UK Gambling Industry Metrics and Daventry Project Projections
The table below compiles key statistics from 2025 industry reports alongside projections specific to the Daventry casino development to provide a clear comparison of broader trends and local impacts.
| Metric | Value | Description |
| UK Gambling Revenue Projection 2025 | US$10.79 billion | Estimated total market revenue with a 1.48% annual growth rate through 2030. |
| Nationwide Jobs Supported | 109,000 | Total employment generated by the gambling sector across the United Kingdom. |
| Economic Output Contribution | £36.8 billion | Annual gross value added to the UK economy from gambling activities. |
| Negative Economic Impact Estimate | £1.3 billion reduction | Projected decrease in overall economic activity due to gambling harms per year. |
| Daventry Casino Full-Time Jobs | 25 | Positions created in gaming and hospitality roles at the new venue. |
| Daventry Casino Part-Time Jobs | 20 | Additional flexible employment opportunities for local residents. |
| Public Objections Received | 60 | Number of individual submissions against the casino plans. |
| Distance to Nearest Gambling Center | 5 minutes walk | Proximity to existing 24-hour facility in Bowen Square Daventry. |
This data highlights the dual nature of gambling developments offering economic gains while posing risks that require careful management through regulations.
Comparison of Similar UK Casino Approvals and Objections
To contextualize the Daventry case the following table reviews recent UK casino planning decisions in small towns focusing on objections outcomes and community impacts based on available records.
| Location | Project Details | Objections | Outcome | Key Impacts |
| Daventry High Street | Former bank to 24-hour casino | 60 public + town council over harms and heritage | Approved September 9 2025 | 45 jobs created potential social issues from gambling access. |
| Northampton City Center | Hotel plan in heritage site | Heritage groups on building preservation | Under review with modifications | Emphasized need for signage compliance similar to Daventry. |
| Various UK Towns | New gambling shops on high streets | Councils seeking more powers over clustering | Mixed approvals with calls for impact assessments | Increased anti-social behavior in areas with multiple venues. |
| General Small Towns | Casino expansions under Gambling Act | Community worries on vulnerable groups | Permissive legislation for operators | Job growth balanced against harm prevention measures. |
These examples demonstrate patterns in UK planning where economic revitalization often prevails despite valid community concerns about long-term social effects.
Future Implications for Daventry High Street and UK Gambling Regulations
The transformation of the former NatWest bank into a casino could serve as a catalyst for further commercial activity on Daventry High Street by occupying a long-vacant property and drawing visitors from surrounding regions. However the decision may prompt ongoing monitoring by local authorities to assess any rises in gambling-related harms such as addiction or financial distress among residents as outlined in national evidence reviews. West Northamptonshire Council’s efforts to promote quality retail spaces suggest a strategy to diversify the high street beyond gambling venues ensuring a balanced economic landscape. Broader UK trends indicate that with projected market growth to USD 3505.8 million by 2029 in gambling sectors policymakers might introduce stricter controls like enhanced licensing requirements or community consultation processes to address objections more effectively in future applications. This case contributes to the ongoing dialogue on how small towns can leverage vacant buildings for development while safeguarding community wellbeing under established gambling commission guidelines.
