Edgware gambling centre decision follows harms emergency

Barnet Council's licensing sub-committee is scheduled to review an application for an adult gaming centre at 226 Station Road, Edgware, on Tuesday, 3 November. This meeting occurs less than two weeks after the local authority officially declared a ‘gambling harms emergency’ and committed to developing a cross-council strategy to address the issue.

The application has been submitted by Palace Amusements, a company owned by East Kent Leasing Limited, which manages over 20 gambling and bingo establishments across the country. The council's public health team has formally objected to the proposal. They stated that the venue would contravene licensing objectives aimed at safeguarding children and other vulnerable individuals, and at preventing gambling from becoming a source of crime or disorder.

Concerns over increased gambling risk

Public health officials noted that while the application acknowledges potential risks, it does not sufficiently demonstrate that these have been adequately evaluated or that proposed safeguards would be effective in mitigating the complexities of gambling-related harm in Edgware. The team argued that replacing an existing betting shop with an adult gaming centre would represent a significant increase in exposure to a higher-risk form of gambling.

In response, Jordan Godden, a director at East Kent Leasing Limited, detailed measures intended to ensure responsible management. These include protocols for preventing underage access, robust security and CCTV systems, appropriate handling of incidents, and cooperation with licensing authorities and the police.

Previous planning approval on appeal

This is not the first application for a gambling venue at this Station Road address. A prior planning application for an adult gaming centre, submitted by the firm Luxury Leisure in February 2024, was initially refused by Barnet Council. However, the decision was later overturned on appeal in December 2024, with modified operating hours imposed, limiting Sunday and bank holiday operations to a maximum of six hours. Currently, the venue is permitted to operate between 7am and 2am on other days of the week.

Council's commitment to tackling gambling harms

The declaration of a 'gambling harms emergency' on 20 October followed a motion passed by the full council. Barnet Labour stated that the forthcoming strategy aims for a coordinated approach involving licensing, planning, public health, community safety, schools, debt advice, and resident support services. The group has also urged the government to expedite the activation of local authorities' ability to conduct gambling impact assessments, which would strengthen their capacity to prevent the establishment of unwanted gambling facilities.

Councillor Alison Moore, cabinet member for adult social care and health, stated that problem gambling is a serious health issue, a poverty concern for those struggling financially, and a wellbeing issue that can devastate families.