Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Whats this? Metrobet moving out of Harringay?

Paul Simon Seaton are closed so I've been unable to confirm but this looks suspiciously like Metrobet are shipping out. Can it be?

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on January 21, 2012 at 9:50

Well spotted Hugh. Good news on the face of it.

But before we get too pleased, we should bear in mind that the kind of business most likely to be able to afford a rent of £49,000 p.a. ... is another betting operator (and no change-of-use permission required).

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on January 21, 2012 at 10:01

Perhaps Better Bet will fund a diagonal crossing and add an annexe?

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on January 21, 2012 at 15:17

... and of course, the Metrobet premises are already fitted out as a betting shop, so minimal extra cost for another gambling operator. Being in the heart of the betting shop cluster, it would make a good location for a problem-gambling advice centre, but the authorities wouldn't afford that rent.

Elsewhere – and by way of illustrating how much political influence is excercised by the gambling lobby – Australia's Labour government yesterday had its majority cut from two to just one, after an independent MP took umbrage after the governement reneged on a deal to tighten up gambling legislation in that country i.e. to address the long time excessive proliferation of poker machines ("pokies" in Australian).

Story in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on January 22, 2012 at 11:20

According to this Wikpedia entry, the Australian Labor Party

has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election.

The ALP pre-dates both the British and New Zealand Labour parties.

The chronic social problem of "pokies" is well known and has existed in Australia for many years.

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Permalink Reply by L F T Snowflake on January 22, 2012 at 9:43

I had a horrible thought on the way to work this morning. Maybe St¥¥¥¥¥s or one of the other 'kwawfee' chains might take it over NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on January 21, 2012 at 15:53

It's obvious why Metrobet are going, and of course Betfred, Agora etc have already taken the hint. They'll all be gone within the year. It's the new regulation and GLSG Enforcement of traditional timbered shop fronts that's shamed them into flight. Once Disneys have shown the way and brought back the past for their 2013 centenary, there won't be a plastic faced betting den or estate agents to be seen. Now all we need is for Shef to get working on all those plasticised eating joints and hair salons and we'll be back in the days of Lord Salisbury and the Earl of Beaconsfield.

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Permalink Reply by hannah on January 24, 2012 at 19:24

Not really surprised. Take the rent together with rates (£11k plus), the fact that any money low to medium paid workers could once hide from the wife is being spent on increased utility bills, and you have a failing business. Rating authorities are keen to collect and enforce, even if a landlord recognises a tenant friendly market and bides their time before exerting pressure. It's often the rates that can tip a business over the edge once they struggle.

Even a betting shop sells a small luxury and so will be vulnerable along with sofa shops and florists! I work in commercial property and I see this as the thin wedge of a general trend - even the salt of the earth enterprises are struggling now, and in many areas disappearing altogether. Also service charges are not advertised, and for good reason. Maybe the roof needs replacing. Even successful businesses are giving up their 'problem' premises just to tighten up.

Alternatively, maybe they just want to move to somewhere where bankers will be willing to spend their much reduced bonuses!!!