AN adult gaming centre opening 24-hours a day looks set to operate out of a former shop in Taunton town centre.

Bingo players would be among customers at the centre which has been given a conditional go ahead by planners.

Somerset West and Taunton Council last week granted permission for the gaming centre at 9 North Street.

The building, sandwiched between Greggs and a charity shop, has been empty since September 2019 and was previously occupied by ECCO Shoes.

Merkur Slots Ltd has revealed plans to instal gambling machines with low stakes of between 10p and £2, as well as bingo machines and tablets.

The company is planning a number of "modest internal and external alterations" on the ground floor of the "empty, inactive and boarded up" listed building.

The adult gaming centre would create to six new jobs, according to Merkur, and would provide complementary refreshments, tea and coffee for customers.

In its application, the company says customers would be able to "spend their spare change, have a game of bingo and enjoy their favourite past time".

A letter accompanying the application says: "The proposals will protect and enhance the vitality and viability of this part of the town centre.

"The proposals involves the bringing back of a long-term vacant unit into beneficial use, which will lead to improvements to the appearance and accessibility of the frontage, footfall, linked trips, new jobs and will assist in diversifying the centre's offer."