Merkur Slots were granted permission to "extend their operational venue" in Lowestoft town centre after three schemes were approved in April last year.

Merkur Slots has expanded into the vacant former Key Cobbler shop in Lowestoft town centre. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Plans submitted to East Suffolk Council on behalf of applicant Merkur Slots Ltd (UK) - centring around applications for illuminated advertisement consent, change of use and minor shopfront alterations - were permitted under delegated powers despite one objection.

And after scaffolding had gone up over recent weeks, works have seen the gambling company Merkur Slots expand into the former Key Cobbler shop next door, which has been vacant since early 2021.

Merkur Slots has expanded into the vacant former Key Cobbler shop in Lowestoft town centre. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

As Merkur Slots had operated from part of the ground floor, documents said "the intention is to occupy the entire ground floor of the site" at 54-56 London Road North.

The vacant former Key Cobbler shop in Lowestoft town centre. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With "a long-term vacant retail unit" now being brought back into use, the approval of plans had come a year after the gambling company had been granted permission to move 50 metres away to the opposite side of the town centre to turn the former Argos store in Lowestoft into a 24-hour adult gaming centre.

Those change of use plans to bring part of a long-term vacant retail unit back into use had come after the boarded up former Argos store at 37 London Road North closed in 2016.

The vacant former Argos store in Lowestoft town centre. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

But with the schemes approved, the applicants said they "will not seek to surrender its lease" for the former Argos store, but "rather grant a sub lease to a tenant who is able to use the building."

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