Council first to use clause to reject betting shop in Upton Park

Melissa York, Reporter Thursday, February 14, 2013
5:15 PM

Newham Council became the first local authority to use a legal clause to successfully throw out an application for a betting shop.

Members of the licensing sub-committee rejected a bid by the owners of the Paddy Power chain to take over premises at 297 Green Street, Upton Park.

Councillors invoked a primary clause under the 2005 Gambling Act that states at least 50 per cent of gambling in shop premises must be ‘traditional’ betting rather then gaming machines.

They decided that most of the profits from this particular shop would be made from controversial B2 high-speed gaming machines.

Police officers from the Green Street Safer Neighbourhood Team also gave evidence at the committee meeting, stating that there is an excessive volume of crime and anti-social behaviour in the area at the moment and the addition of another betting shop would not help clean up the streets.

The committee also heard concerns about the safety of female employees leaving the premises at night.

Cllr Ian Corbett, chairman of the committee, said: “Green Street already has a number of bookmakers and we believe that another would lead to an increase in crime and disorder with issues such as violence, street drinkers, and vagrants.

“We do not want this in our borough.”

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