The mall’s landlord, Isle of Man-based Derwent Holdings, has won planning permission for a change of use for seven vacant units, which will see the vast bingo hall – almost 24,000 sq ft – open inside.
Plans also include a new smoking shelter on the roof of the mall for bingo hall customers.
Applicants Aylward Town Planning Ltd the say move will improve footfall inside the centre to promote retailers to take up other vacant units.
If the change of use had been turned down, say Aylward, Club 3000 Bingo would have left Walkden altogether: “It is also understood that if the above application were to be refused, the bingo tenant would be likely to relocate out of Walkden which would of course have more profound effects upon vitality, loss of employment and loss of a popular and established community resource.”
