I will write to the Secretary of State when I have collected enough signatures to hand to him to demonstrate the level of opposition to further gambling establishments in my constituency and Harringay in particular.
The campaign is far from over, and I'll be sure to keep members of this forum updated with any further action.
I signed this too, making the point that (from a reputable local estate agents viewpoint) they are not great for the community, and definately not great for the area.
Thanks for the post David S... interesting, wasn't aware of many of the points raised. Should never have happened in the first place!
Businesses should ideally serve the community, and be a credit to the area in which they operate.
Surely it's easy to place a bet online these days... I am struggling to understand the need for so many! With online gambling being such big business, ideally the number of bookies in a high street could be limited.
That's a valid point actually... and is it just a coincidence, or do they target locations next to/across the road from/ or very near to pubs. I bet they do... 'no pun intended'
the two pubs by Warham road open at 4pm and so are not normaly used by the hardcore punters. Normally the punters have a plastic bag with a couple of cans of ace inside of which they leave outside the bookies.
Well observed, Steve. I'd almost forgotten how many at GA admitted to being alcoholics.
I still think about them and their horror stories. Good men -all of them; intelligent and articulate. (Interestingly, not a single woman the whole time I attended).
Permalink Reply by Ruth on January 14, 2010 at 19:59
I signed. Am very pleased to see our MP taking this seriously and getting out down Green Lanes. I think Harringay Online should feel a bit pleased that they kicked up the fuss and have started off some sort of action. If we make some progress on betting shops, then other issues could be tackled from within, and by, the community. Good old fashioned grassroots action - it can work.
happy new year to all.
I use 'betfair' but only very rarely because there is a 2 pound minimum bet which is far too much for me to gamble with. i use the usual 'big' firms online and set a 5 pound per month limit. for me, a 50p bet on a footie game that is being shown on telly ratchets up the thrill of a win like the other day when reading beat liverpool i got my biggest win 3 pound fifty on a fifty pee bet (ha ha).
unfortunately this is nowhere near enough of a thrill for those that use the highstreet shops. they have to believe they are losing everything, including the house and family. The shops know this and are vultures.
well, we all should have bet on a white christmas and won something. The bookies lost big time on that one.
See how easy it is to get drawn in?
We can probably limit our betting but some guys (and some women) will see those betting shops as the place they spend their whole day and week in. And are encouraged to do so. I dont want to start telling people how to live their lives, and there are cultural issues here, with some betting shops replacing closed downs community hubs/centres. But too many betting shops equals a hell of a lot of temptation. And especially to those who dont have access to the internet to do a few limited bets online.
I have probably said enough on this issue. I got my letter from David Lammy today from the H of P. I feel we made a point and our letter helped. I am willing to help write other letters for other issues. Perhaps the dogs issue next? Or the hotbedding culture of many of properties let out around here?
all the best dear Harringay folk