How Intergame announced the launch of a "rash" of Merkur Slots arcades
In July last year a trade journal serving the "coin-op amusement, casino and igaming industries" reported that a German company was opening a "rash of new UK arcades" using the Merkur Slots brand name. It now turns out that one of the town centres where the rash will be breaking out is Palmers Green, and some locals are not at all "amused" about the prospect of the new arcade.
Palmers Green Community has been sent a copy of an email to councillors in Palmers Green ward from a group of residents complaining about the granting of a Bingo Premises Licence to Merkur Slots, 292/292A Green Lanes, N13 5TW. They claim that the notice attached to the empty shop, near the former Store 21, did not meet the specifications laid down by the council and are therefore requesting advice from the councillors about how to challenge the licensing decision. They also point out that the period during which objections could be lodged was at a time when Covid-19 cases were particularly high and people were staying at home.
"Bingo!"
The residents state in their message that "The majority of local people are still unaware that Palmers Green shopping centre will be subjected to a 24-hour slot machine arcade with bright neon signs on the outside, under the guise of an application for ‘Bingo’, which is highly misleading."
They attach photographs as evidence that the notice did not meet Enfield Council's specifications: it was printed on white, not pale blue, paper using a font size smaller than the minimum required 16 point.
"This kind of establishment signals the decline of an area"
As regards the effect on the town centre, the residents say that four betting shops is already more than enough:
"With unemployment and youth disengagement at the highest level it has been for years, it is irresponsible for Enfield Council to give its approval to a 24-hour gambling centre. This is likely to profit at the expense of those in society who least can afford it, whilst increasing the likelihood of antisocial behaviour and problem gambling.
"As part of the ‘New Local Plan,’ Enfield was tasked with supporting the community in regenerating our shopping area with innovative and creative ideas, not allow our once thriving High Street to deteriorate into a string of betting shops and amusement arcades. This kind of establishment signals the decline of an area, not regeneration. It will be detrimental to the plans to re-imagine Palmers Green and make it an attractive place to shop and relax."
The external design, as shown in the planning application
The application for a change of use of the premises from betting shop (Sui Generis) to an adult gaming centre (Sui Generis) was granted on 29th January (reference 20/03849/FUL). This was separate from the granting of a Bingo Premises Licence under the Gambling Act 2005. The chance to object to the latter seems to have gone pretty much unnoticed, due to the poor state of the notice on the premises and the raging pandemic. But in any case, how easy would it be to meet the criteria for objection? To object you need to live "sufficiently close" to be affected or have business activities that might be affected - see the wording of the notice that appeared in a tiny display ad in the Enfield Independent in early December.