I was dismayed to learn of another licence application being made by a group called Palace Amusements for an Adult Gaming Centre at 369-371 Green Lanes, Palmers Green N13 4JH which are the former Lloyds Bank premises.
I will be submitting objections to the licence application and would also encourage local residents to take action.
Under the Gambling Act 2005 local authorities have limited capacity to decline applications and the objections that they can take into consideration are very narrow and specifically relate to:
“a) preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime;
b) ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way;
c) protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.”
The local authority can only accept as relevant representations those objections which contain evidence relating to the above grounds and any evidence submitted must be relevant to the specific area.
The Enfield Council Gambling Act 2005 – Gambling Local Area Profile (January 2022) contains data relating to the location of gambling premises can be found below.
The deadline for representations on this application is 30 July 2023.
Representations are to be made to Enfield Council at licensing@enfield.gov.uk
I understand that a planning application for a change of use will also have to be made, and I will update constituents as soon as I can.
It is extremely disappointing that despite the efforts of local community groups, such as Palmers Green Action Team, to improve the high street environment and create family friendly spaces, the growth in gambling premises is threatening this positive work.
