Connor Naismith has registered his objections to plans for a new adult gaming site on Edleston Road in Crewe, an arterial road on the town’s high street.
Adult gaming venues cater to gambling activities, usually through slots or fruit machines.
The applicant has submitted change of use proposals for 240 Edleston Road, formerly occupied by Poole Alcock Solicitors. The new adult gaming centre would be open 9am to 11pm, seven days a week.
In his written objections to the plans, Mr Naismith referenced the links between adult gaming sites and anti-social behaviour as well as the failure for such venues to provide vital footfall to surrounding retailers due to their age restrictions and closed-off shop fronts.
Mr Naismith also stated that the plans conflicted with national planning policy, specifically the government’s Pride in Place Strategy, which explicitly empowers local authorities to block the proliferation of unwanted gambling venues, vape shops, and betting offices that hollow out local communities.
The Labour MP has also written to the Chair of the Cheshire East Economy & Growth Committee requesting that Cheshire East Council adopt a formal strategy to implement High Street Rental Auctions on vacant units, including more interventionist measures to prevent "low value" uses from hollowing out the high street.
Labour’s Pride in Place programme, which was launched in September 2025, included an extension of Community Right to Buy powers, Compulsory Purchase Powers on disused sites and the ability to block unwanted shops like new betting shops, vapes stores and fake barbers.
Having been a vocal advocate for greater community control of high streets and a strong supporter of the Centre for Social Justice’s Restore our high streets campaign, Connor Naismith is keen to ensure that these new powers are used effectively in Crewe & Nantwich.
Mr Naismith will be monitoring future planning applications for sites that fail to meet the criteria set out in the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy (2010–2030) and national policy under the High Street Curation and "Pride in Place" Strategy.
The deadline to make a representation is Thursday 30th April, with a target decision date of Thursday 14th May.
Connor Naismith, Labour MP for Crewe & Nantwich, said:
“Whether it’s another adult gaming centre, a dodgy mini-market or a vape shop, my message is the same: the local authority can and should intervene to stop unwanted businesses taking over our high streets.
“Our town centres should first and foremost serve the local community. Every site must contribute to creating a sense of place and promoting social cohesion in some way.
“My team will be monitoring upcoming planning applications for similar interventions, and I encourage all residents who feel strongly about the future of our high streets to register their own objections.”
--Ends--
Notes to the Editor Objections to the plans for 240 Edleston Road can be logged and viewed via the Cheshire East Council online portal here: https://pa.cheshireeast.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=404533
Further information on guidance for High Street Rental Auctions can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-street-rental-auctions-non-statutory-guidance/high-street-rental-auctions-non-statutory-guidance
More information on Labour’s “Pride in Place” Strategy can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-is-pride-in-place
The article entitled ‘Labour must take back control of our high streets’ written by Connor Naismith and published on LabourList can be viewed here: https://labourlist.org/2026/03/labour-must-take-back-control-of-our-high-streets/
A video outlining Connor Naismith’s objection to the plans at 240 Edleston Road can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1500748761843286
Image Description Connor Naismith MP outside the site of the proposed adult gaming centre at 240 Edleston Road, Crewe.
