Kensington and Chelsea approves 24-hour gambling arcade opposite Earl’s Court station

Residents in Earl’s Court will see a 24-hour gambling arcade open opposite the Tube station after Kensington and Chelsea Council granted Silvertime Amusements a licence. The decision, made at a meeting last month, overrides a planning refusal issued in April. The company must now appeal that refusal to proceed with its relocation.

The new venue, at the former Lloyds bank on Earl’s Court Road, would replace Silvertime’s existing arcade 80 metres away. The proposed site would increase the number of gambling machines from 26 to 40. A security guard trained by the Security Industry Authority must be present whenever gambling is available.

Council decision sparks local backlash

The licensing application attracted 346 objections, as reported by MyLondon. Among those opposing the plans were all three Earl’s Court ward councillors. Councillor Linda Wade, who represents the area, said the decision ignored the needs of vulnerable residents. She told the council the venue would target an area of deprivation in a borough with high inequality.

Human rights advocate Bianca Jagger also objected. She said children in the area must be protected from harm. The council did not consult its Public Health team before granting the licence, though it has since committed to doing so in future cases. Wade described this as a missed opportunity.

Silvertime defends relocation plans

Silvertime’s legal counsel, Andrew Woods, represented the company at the licensing hearing. He said Silvertime has operated at its current site for ten years without incident. The new location, he argued, would provide better facilities for customers. Woods did not address the objections raised by residents or councillors.

If the planning appeal succeeds, Silvertime must close its existing arcade at 169 Earl’s Court Road before opening the new venue. The company has not announced a date for the appeal hearing. Residents can track the progress of the application through the council’s planning portal.

What happens next

Silvertime Amusements must now win a planning appeal to open the new arcade. The council has not set a date for the hearing. Residents who wish to object can submit comments through the council’s planning portal. The council has said it will consult Public Health in future licensing decisions.