Plans for another 24/7 Green Lanes gambling venue prompt local protest

The licencing application for a new adult gaming centre has angered locals who say such venues “suck wealth” out of communities, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents protest in Green Lanes at the location of a proposed adult gaming centre

Residents in Bowes have urged Enfield Council to block another proposed 24-hour gambling site – saying existing venues attract crime and “suck wealth” out of the community.

A licensing application to open an ‘adult gaming centre’ called Palace Amusements was submitted to the local authority in May. The premises would be sited between 101 and 109 Green Lanes, replacing both a former florist and an estate agents unit on the corner with Melbourne Avenue.

Last year the company behind Palace Amusements also controversially won permission – via a planning appeal – to open a similar venue further north along Green Lanes, in Palmers Green town centre.

Melbourne Avenue Residents’ Group, which says it has the support of more than 50 local people, has written to the council urging it not to grant the latest licensing application.

The letter, shared by Rozerin Ozbek, argues that “Bowes is already over-saturated with gambling premises, which suck wealth out of our community and attract crime and anti-social behaviour”.

“We do not want or need any more gambling facilities in our community,” the group adds.

They argue the application goes against the council’s licensing objectives – factors that a local authority must consider when granting, renewing or rescinding a licence.

A new gambling venue, the residents say, would go against licensing objectives for the prevention of crime and disorder as well as the protection of children and vulnerable people.

They argue that, at the very least, the council should not allow the gambling shop to be open 24 hours a day. Such a licence, they say, “would only exacerbate” the issues caused and “cause great harm to this community”.

The name of the company applying for the new licence – and also in charge of the existing Palace Amusements gambling venue in Palmers Green – is East Kent Leasing Limited.

Behind this banal corporate name is a business running or establishing 22 gambling and bingo establishments across the country, including in Wood Green.

Responding to concerns about the latest Green Lanes application, Elisa Morreale, the council’s new cabinet member for licensing, said: “While we cannot comment on the individual licence application, we understand the concerns raised by local residents about the number and concentration of gaming venues in Enfield.

“We want our town centres to be thriving, safe and welcoming places for everyone. In our view, gambling and gaming venues offer limited benefit to local communities and risk undermining these aims.

“There is growing concern about the clustering of such premises in more deprived areas, where low-stake, high-frequency gaming machines can disproportionately impact those who are least able to afford it. We are also mindful of the potential for these venues to contribute to wider issues, including antisocial behaviour.

“However, the council’s role is governed by national legislation. Where an applicant meets the required legal criteria, there are limited grounds on which an application can be refused.

“This makes it challenging to prevent new premises from opening, even where there is strong local opposition.”

East Kent Leasing Ltd argues that its Palace Amusements venues bring “economic benefits” by ” Along with “creating job opportunities and bringing vacant units back into use”.

But Cllr Morreale said she hoped new legislation would come into force in the next year to help strengthen the power of local authorities to resist such applications, adding: “Nevertheless, we will continue with our efforts to better protect our communities and town centres.”

The closing date for representations regarding the Green Lanes licence application is Thursday, 25th June.

For more information about licensing applications in Enfield and to submit a comment:
Email [email protected]
Visit enfield.gov.uk/services/business-and-licensing

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