As the number of signatures on the Stop the Slots petition exceeds 4,100, the residents behind the campaign against a new gambling arcade in the the heart of Palmers Green are growing impatient about the lack of action on the part of Enfield Council.
How the Stop the Slots campaign was reported this week in the Enfield Independent
After council leader Nesil Caliskan sent a letter to all Palmers Green residents expressing her opposition to the planned new branch of Merkur Slots, the Stop the Slots campaigners wrote to her on 4th March (read the full letter below) asking for an update on the actions she said she would take. They are keen that a review of the decision to grant a licence be reviewed before the venue opens. They also criticised the lack of consultation with the local community and the failure of ward councillors to bring the application to the attention of the community. As of today they had not heard back from Cllr Caliskan.
However, a report in the Enfield Independent quotes Cllr Tim Leaver, one of the Palmers Green ward councillors, as saying that there is “no mechanism for ward councillors to notify residents of licensing applications”. According to the same report, Cllr George Savva, the cabinet member for licensing and regulatory services, takes the view that gambling premises do not fit the council's vision of high streets as "vibrant, safe and welcoming places" but warns that it is extremely difficult for a local authority to object to an application that meets the conditions set out in law, adding that "Enfield Council is frustrated with its inability to prevent the development of clusters of gambling premises and betting shops".
Shirley Rose from Stop the Slots says the campaigners see a 24-hour gaming centre as degeneration rather than regeneration: "If we have a high street of gambling shops, it is going to deter community friendly shops from wanting to open." By contrast, a statement by Merkur Slots says that "our focus is fun" and in the local communities where they operate they will be playing the roles of "employer, passionate supporter of high street regeneration and growth, and advocate and sponsor of community groups and initiatives".
Letter to the leader of Enfield Council from the Stop the Slots campaign
4 March 2021
Dear Councillor Caliskan,
We are writing to you with reference to the letter dated 24/2/21 which was delivered to households in Palmers Green and Winchmore Hill.
Your letter, as well as outlining your opposition to new betting shops and gambling venues opening in Enfield, states you are taking steps to initiate a review of the licence granted to Merkur Slots.
I understand that you are working with ward councillors to collate evidence to demonstrate that the objectives stated in the 2005 Gambling Act are not met by the applicant. We would like an update on the progress made in gathering this evidence.
I also understand that you want the licence to be reconsidered and for council officers to refer the application to the Licensing Committee. We are seeking clarification as to whether this review will take place before Merkur Slots has opened the venue and started trading. In our view it is essential that it does, so that the objections and concerns from local residents and businesses are heard and taken into consideration by the Licensing Committee. The lack of consultation with the local community has been a serious failing in this process and needs to be rectified. Consultation was severely hampered by the failure of ward councillors to bring the application to the attention of the community. In addition, there were very restricted opportunities for local residents to see the premises notice. This was due to the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic and the expectation and instruction to stay at home.
You are very well aware of the strength of local feeling on this issue and we would appreciate a response by 17/3/21.
Yours sincerely
Palmers Green Stop the Slots Campaign
