Council opposes Wood Green gaming centre's 24-hour licence bid

Little Vegas is trying to win permission to open around the clock despite concerns over its impact on vulnerable people, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

An adult gaming centre’s application for a 24-hour licence in Wood Green has been debated amid concerns raised by Haringey Council.

Little Vegas has applied to change the operating hours of its Wood Green High Road branch. Currently, the premises operates from 8am-2am, but the chain is now seeking to open around the clock.

The council has objected to the proposal, instead recommending the premises retain its current hours.

At a licensing sub-committee meeting yesterday (Thursday 22nd) the authority raised concerns that a 24-hour operation could attract a “clientele of local residents that already experience deprivation, alcohol and drug dependency”.

The authority also highlighted “levels of crime and anti-social behaviour” could increase.

Daliah Barrett, the council’s licensing team leader, stated the business had issues with vulnerable people and had already breached policies by touting promotional leaflets outside the premises.

The potential for increased “late night noise” was also a concern raised at the committee.

Darren Hughes, a representative from Little Vegas, said CCTV had been offered as proof the premises had not been in breach of the promotional leaflet campaign policy.

He said: “There was no follow up action or requirement for the CCTV and on that basis the issue was settled and any misunderstanding cleared up.”

Daliah said there had been a complaint from residents who were “aggrieved” by being handed leaflets but the business said it was “unaware” and that the leafleting would “stop”.

Committee member Sheila Peacock said she had recently walked past the premises and saw an A-board advertising the gaming centre. Darren clarified there were window boards, which were permitted, but there were no advertisements taking up external spaces.

Paddy Whur, a representative for the applicant, said it was “disappointing” that the council had suggested there were crimes connected with betting facilities.

He made the distinction that the premises was not a betting shop but an adult gaming centre and there was no evidence produced that there had been “any crimes reported”. Paddy also insisted there was “no evidence” that similar businesses trading 24 hours a day were “having an adverse effect on the licensing objectives”.

The council’s licensing sub-committee will deliberate on its decision over the next five working days.

In April, Haringey joined 37 other councils around the country in lobbying the government to end gambling advertising and bring in other restrictions on the industry.

In a statement, council leader Peray Ahmet said: “We know that residents have had enough of gambling premises on their high streets but have been unable to act on them due to the national laws in place.”

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