Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

The Changing Face of our High Street - Bookies up 39%

An article in the Daily Mail today lists the types of busniesses that have increased and decreased over the past years. No source is listed for the report, but I'm guessing Conservative Party HQ.

The figures from the Valuation Office show the changing face of Britain since 1997 - with sharp increases in the numbers of, for example, lapdancing clubs (up 1,150%), betting outlets (39%) and charity shops (20%), and falls in the numbers of sport and social clubs (55%), public toilets (29%) and public libraries (6%).

Shocking figures.

Read the full story here..............

Tags for Forum Posts: betting shops

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Permalink Reply by PeterPiper on February 22, 2010 at 23:48

Hmmm - I think this table could have been more objective if the previous 13 years were available for consideration ie 1984 -1997.

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on February 23, 2010 at 1:12

THE PERIOD for comparison matches that of New Labour government. Some of the changes could well have happened under a Government of any political stripe, due to changed trading conditions and commercial environment.

But some of them are likely to be related to changes in legislation. The 39% and 27% increases in (respectively) betting shops and casinos is hard to attribute to anything other than the "liberalisation" of the gambling laws, for which this government alone is responsible. It was a response to big business rather than to community pressure.

The increases are mainly in service 'industries' and the decreases are mainly in public facilities.

In order to become electable, New Labour had to do a lot of things to make themselves look business-friendly. But some of their privatizations – actual and proposed – raised eyebrows. The question is, for what purpose were they elected and have some of their market-liberalising measures not gone too far?

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Permalink Reply by matt on February 23, 2010 at 6:30

CEO of Paddy Power is interviewed on Working Lunch today, Tue BBC2 from 12.30pm.

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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on February 23, 2010 at 8:44

How on earth can petrol stations disappearing (remember the one at the top of Wightman Rd) be the government's fault?

Where is mention of Surestart? Devolution? The MASSIVE improvement to the living environment in London and other major cities in Britain? Northern Ireland? Fox hunting?

Why is the BBC not in this list? Presumably because they don't want us to think about it too much.

This is an obviously subjective and politically motivated chart sourced directly from the Conservative Party. How would it be taken if Justin posted it on here?

PS Where are the nightclubs and wine bars around here that I now feel entitled to?

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on February 23, 2010 at 8:55

I suspect that it is politically motivated John which is why I pointed it out in my original posting. Nonetheless, it does reflect what's been happening over the past 10 years or so. I posted it because it has resonance for developments on Green Lanes.

As Peter pointed out, it would be even more interesting to see comparable figures for the preceding period. But. as Clive points out, some of the changes can be attributed to s[specific government policies, most probably can't.

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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on February 23, 2010 at 10:12

The upturn in strip clubs is a welcome relief. I'd really gone off hanging round bingo halls and public toilets in recent years.

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Permalink Reply by John D on February 23, 2010 at 12:03

We miss you OAE :-)

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Permalink Reply by Liz on February 23, 2010 at 12:10

It's time you two hosted the Wightman branch meeting of the Meldrews, maybe in La Vina- John and I would come along I'm sure as we are members :) (sorry OAE, another smiley, these must be sending you into a full Victor)