THE ground floor of a former Bournemouth town centre bank can be converted into an adult gaming centre.

A planning application for the change of use at the four-storey corner property at number 49-51 Old Christchurch Road has been approved by BCP Council.

The site is opposite the former Beales department store and sits on the corner with Albert Road.

Agents for the developer told the council: “Such a proposed use will positively contribute to the vitality and viability of the town centre, but causing no material harm to the Listed Building as no external alterations are proposed internal alterations shall be extremely limited.”

Up to ten jobs are expected to be created once the site has been converted with opening hours expected to be 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday.

It will be operated by J Holland and Sons which own a chain of adult gaming centres throughout the UK, including one in Weymouth.

Around 60 machines will be installed in the building with the building work expected to reinstate the doorway on the corner of the site.

The remaining floors of the building already have a prior approval application in place for the conversion to flats.

There had only been one comment on the application, from the Bournemouth Civic Society, which recommended granting the consent because the application would preserve the appearance of the former bank building.