CANVEY’s Rio Bingo can expand into a back room after being given the go-ahead from the council.

The owners of the bingo hall, in Furtherwick Road, had applied to Castle Point Council to refurbish the inside and expand into the dance studio at the back.

The new room will hold 37 arcade machines and the entrance will move to the back of the building.

The bingo hall currently has 11 arcade machines in a room at the front of the building.

There will also be a new bar with seating in the new arcade area, as well as toilets.

In its report, council officers did express regret that the current “grand” entrance from Furtherwick Road would be downgraded to an emergency exit - but said that this would not prevent the application going ahead.

The report adds: “There is no reason to suppose that noise breakout from the building’s rear extension resulting from its use as an arcade would be greater than when it was used as a dance studio. More likely less noise breakout would occur, as a dance studio is an inherently noisy use involving the playing of amplified music.

“It is therefore not considered that there is likely to be harm caused to the amenity of surrounding residents as a result of noise. The proposal is not felt to be at odds with any government guidance or local plan policies and it is therefore recommended that planning permission be granted.”