The Deputy Leader of Brent Council, Councillor Mili Patel, shared a statement on the planning approval for a new Adult Gaming Centre in Willesden Green:
“Yesterday evening, Brent added yet another Adult Gaming Centre to the long list of gambling shops ruining our town centres – despite many objections to the planning application.
“Willesden Green has a high street with untapped potential, filled with thriving independent businesses. It should be easy for Brent’s Planning Committee to reject premises which are harmful to public health and where they are also opposed by residents. But it isn’t simple.
“A national law means that local authorities are constrained in their ability to object to licencing applications because the Gambling Act contains an “Aim to Permit” rule, tilting towards granting premises licences rather than addressing gambling harms. We believe gambling is a public health issue and should be treated no differently to fast food, smoking and vaping.
“What’s more, gambling is big business in our borough – but the companies behind these harmful products put very little back into the local economy, while leaving damage in their wake. It’s not escaped our notice that the company that owns the former bank – which is soon-to-be Adult Gaming Centre – is registered in and subject to the tax regime of the Channel Islands.
“Brent Council, alongside 43 other councils, has been calling on the government to change the law and provide stronger powers to stop the proliferation of gambling shops opening on our high streets. We are grateful to the council leaders up and down the country, alongside our local MP, Dawn Butler who have backed our campaign.”
