Morning all,
We have just found out that Paddy Power wants to open a betting shop in the recently closed pub on Lordship (606 Lordship Lane N22 5JH) about 5-7 minutes walk from Wood Green tube station. I live locally and am totally outraged as there are already 2 betting shops within 30 seconds walk of that old pub - a William Hill and Ladbrokes.
There is a sign on the door saying Paddy Power has submitted an application under the Gambling Act 2005 and that any representations need to be made in writing to the licensing authorities by 25th March.
I know similar situations have cropped up on Green Lanes and some of you have been active in fighting it - I would like your advice on how to stop this! I am planning writing to local councilors and MPs and will start a petition .
How can it be allowed to have three in such a short stretch of street - the noise and rubbish these places produce is terrible?
Please sign the petition here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/not-another-betting-shop-on-lord...
Thanks for your support!
Katie
This might also be useful- the Gambling Commission's licensing guidance. http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/GLA4.pdf
Hi Katie,
I'm definitely keen to support opposing the opening of another betting shop there. I live very close to the site and have to walk down that stretch of street several times of day. That stretch of pavement is already constantly full or rubbish and (it seems) a bit of a hotspot for antisocial behaviour. This seems to be caused partly by the two betting shops that are there already. I have no idea whether those kind of things are enough to oppose the application though..it seems maybe not. I wasn't a big fan of that pub, but I wish it had stayed open now!
Pippa
Hi Katie,
I live on Dunbar Rd and have this pub on the bottom of my street. I'm totally shocked to see that it COULD be a betting shop. It feels like the areas has turned a corner recently and this would be massively detrimental to the community. What we need is a good local pub, not another place to bet. I'm 100% behind you on this and will do whatever I can to help. Petition signed and email to MP sent.
Regards
George
We are desperate for a 'The Gate' style pub as well..!
Has anyone contacted David Lammy directly on this one?
He's not a fan of betting shops, I gather.
Hi Katie
I emailed the council, and had a disappointing but not unsurprising response basically saying they're compelled to approve the application as it stands. I copied in Lynne Featherstone and got the below email back from her. I'll try again emailing the council following her advice, but I thought it might be useful to you too.
Thanks
Alison
Dear Alison,
RE: Proposed Paddy Power for Lordship Lane
Thank you for copying me into your recent correspondence about the proposal for another Paddy Power on Lordship Lane. I was very concerned to hear that an application has been made for another betting shop in the area – this is an issue I have been made aware of by a number of constituents.
I am particularly concerned about this application given the links to anti-social behaviour that a number of residents have raised.
Having looked at the Council’s response, it seems unfortunately unlikely that the Council will be able to reject the application, given the above. However, given the issue of anti-social and criminal behaviour around the betting shops, if it can be proved that the betting shop is a source of crime or being used to support crime, the Council may be able to reject the application on this basis.
I would strongly advise that the best way to tackle this issue is to make representations to the Council regarding crime that is affecting other existing betting premises in the area or premises that are known to have anti-social behaviour issues attached to it. I will also be submitting concerns about this on behalf of my constituents.
Thank you again for getting in touch. I would be grateful if you could confirm your full address so I am able to add you to our casework system. I hope this information is useful, please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of further assistance in this or any other matter.
Kind regards,
Lynne Featherstone MP
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Hornsey and Wood Green
I am going to email Lynne Featherstone too for what good it will do. I imagine it will be hard to put together a case for the betting shops which exist already being a cause of / contributing to anti-social behaviour or crime. Has anyone tried asking the police about this?
She's already aware of the issue and was tweeting about it today.
Pippa, do contact the two MPs about it, both Lynne Featherstone and David Lammy.
Sadly most agencies' hands are tied by the Gambling Act 2005 that permits objection on three narrow grounds, which grounds would be those that conceivably contradict the "aims" of the Act.
From memory, they are to promote fair gambling (?!); keep children out and to prevent any association with crime.
In practice, these three grounds are all but useless, partly because the overriding aim was the instruction to Licencing Authoriites, "Aim to permit [gambling licence premises applications]".
I would tackle any change-of-use aspect, probably followed by a rear-guard action to obtain a hearing before a committee.
Disclosure:
am a prospective councillor candidate
Highgate Ward | Liberal Democrat Party
William hill head quarters is in Wood Green (station road, n22).
Yes, across the road from ... the dark, looming edifice known as New River House, AKA Haringey Council. A senior Labour Councillor reminded me they were a major local employer.
However, that employment, plus all the other overheads, plus profits, plus taxes, every last penny comes out of the net losses of the punters – not all of whom are well placed to afford the losses.
bookmakers absolutely hate to ever have to call the police for anything
This is my understanding also and that "anything" can be serious. Private conversations with individual officers can be eye-openers. However I believe the police have been cautioned about making representations in these matters and they would of course, not wish to be quoted.
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