Neasden Shopping Centre Bingo Hall application to be heard next week - opposed by Dawn Butler MP and councillors on behalf of residents

 Tuesday's Licensing Sub-Committee will hear an application from Merkul Slots to open a Bingo Hall on the former premises of Santander in the Neasden Shopping Centre,

The application is the first since Brent Council launched its campaign for the government to change the law which they claim does not give local authorities enough power to turn down such socially harmful applications.

This application has attracted submissions from Dawn Butler MP fore Brent East, Cllr Liz Dixon and another elected representative who is not named.

Dawn Butler MP:

Dear License Committee, 

 

I am writing to formally respond to the Merkur Slots Application at 263–265 Neasden Lane application number 33757 for a Bingo Club Premises Licence/Gambling Premises Licence New Application.

 

My constituency of Brent East has been disproportionately impacted by problem gambling with betting shops and adult gaming centres planted amidst our most vulnerable and deprived communities, impacting those who can least afford it. According to Brent Council’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), the borough’s problem gambling rate is 6.2%, which is over double the national average. Additionally, gambling-related harm costs the borough an estimated £14.3 million annually. Anti-social behaviour linked to loitering outside gambling shops is extremely problematic and I see this in casework I receive year-round.

 

The liberalisation of gambling legislation as introduced in the Gambling Act 2005 has been a serious failure for communities and this application just highlights the serious problems and I implore the Planning Inspectorate to take serious action and refuse the application. There is already a proliferation of gambling shops and adult gaming centres in my constituency, with three betting shops already within 100 metres of the proposed site. We know already that they have a propensity to cluster in poorer communities, which are more susceptible to gambling harm due to the hope that a big win will help them out of their situation.

 

It is deeply concerning that further details regarding the building have not been supplied. This is a strong community, and it is being blighted by these shops, whose owners hold the area in complete contempt and disregard. The fact that the application contains few details does not surprise me. I wrote to 7,000 households in Brent, to ask them for their own experiences of gambling and the betting shops in Brent.

 

This was going to form a response to the Government’s Gambling Review, the response to my call for evidence has been stark:

 

 • 97.5% were opposed to betting shops

• 80% questioned why more shops were being given permission

• 75% called for the number of stores to be limited

• 62.5% detailed experiences of anti-social behaviour in the locale of these shops.

 

I have heard from families who’ve faced financial ruin because of gambling  and from so many people for whom their daily lives are blighted by the associated anti-social behaviour, in particular street drinking and drugs, which circulate in close proximity to these gambling establishments.

 

To conclude, I strongly urge the Licensing Authority to reject this application. The people of Neasden deserve a vibrant, diverse high street that supports the well-being of all residents, not another exploitative gambling venue that deepens existing harms.

  

Anonymous representative:

 

Dear Sir / Madam,

 

This constitutes a formal objection to the proposed Merkur Slots application at 263- 265 Neasden Lane. As an elected representative and a voice for deeply concerned residents, I vehemently oppose this application due to its detrimental impact on the community and the area. City Hall has provided significant funding to Neasden and allowing this application to proceed would work completely against the efforts that all partners are making to improve the Town Centre and the area.

 

A Plague of Gambling Establishments:

 

Brent already suffers from an oversaturation of gambling venues. With 81 licensed gambling establishments, our borough boasts a higher concentration than  supermarkets, banks, or even schools – a truly alarming statistic. This over- proliferation, particularly in areas like Neasden, directly contradicts the principles ofm nresponsible community planning.

 

Fuelling Addiction and Social Harm:

 

The Brent Council Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) paints a grim picture:

 

 Epidemic of Problem Gambling: 6.2% of Brent residents grapple with problem gambling, a staggering figure twice the national average.

 Economic Devastation: Gambling-related harm costs Brent a staggering £14.3 million annually.

 Predatory Targeting: Operators like Merkur Slots exploit vulnerable communities, with Neasden, Harlesden, and Willesden bearing the brunt of this exploitation.

 The Deadliness of FOBTs: Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) and online slots, despite being utilized by a mere 3% of the population, are the primary drivers of problem gambling. The addiction rate of FOBTs surpasses even heroin and tobacco, highlighting their devastating impact.

 

These stark realities underscore the urgent need to curb the proliferation of gambling establishments, especially in areas like Neasden Lane, to safeguard our communitynfrom the devastating consequences of gambling addiction.

 

Eroding the Vitality of Neasden Lane:

 

The proposed Merkur Slots development poses a grave threat to the vitality and viability of Neasden Lane as a thriving commercial centre.

 

 Anti-Social Behaviour Hotspots: The existing concentration of betting shops within a mere 100 metres of Neasden Lane already contributes to significant anti-social behavior. Adding another gambling establishment will only exacerbate this problem.

 Undermining Community Development: This application directly undermines the substantial investments made by City Hall to revitalize Neasden Town Centre.

 Deterring Diverse Businesses: The oversaturation of gambling establishments discourages other businesses from establishing themselves, hindering the development of a diverse and vibrant commercial landscape.

 

 Unsightly Development: The proposed design lacks the vibrancy and aesthetic appeal necessary for a thriving town centre. Instead of fostering a welcoming and engaging atmosphere, it will detract from the pedestrian experience.

 

Size, Location, and Nuisance:

 

The scale and location of this proposed development are entirely inappropriate:

 

 Residential Intrusion: The continuous operation of this gambling establishment will inevitably lead to increased noise, disturbance, and anti- social behaviour, severely impacting the quality of life for nearby residents.

 Ignoring Community Concerns: This proposal blatantly disregards the Brent Local Plan's emphasis on protecting residents from the negative impacts of commercial activities.

 

Exacerbating Social Inequalities:

 

This application raises profound concerns about its impact on the most vulnerable members of our community:

 

 Preying on Financial Desperation: Many individuals, particularly during times of economic hardship, turn to gambling as a desperate coping mechanism.

 Targeting Young People and Ethnic Minorities: Young people and ethnic minorities are disproportionately impacted by gambling-related harm.

 

This development directly contradicts the principles of creating healthy and inclusive communities. Instead of fostering well-being, it will deepen existing inequalities and exacerbate social challenges.

 

Conclusion:

 

The proposed Merkur Slots development at 263-265 Neasden Lane is an affront to our community. It represents a threat to the health, safety, and well-being of our residents.

 

I urge the Licensing Authority to categorically reject this application and prioritize developments that contribute positively to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of Neasden.

 

 Cllr Liz Dixon: