Forum topic: Another application for an Adult Gambling Centre on Green Lanes
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Another application for an Adult Gambling Centre on Green Lanes
20 May 2026 13:24 #7557- Richard McKeever
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A licence application for a proposed Adult Gambling Centre at 101 - 109 Green Lane has been submitted by Palace Amusements - the same operators that run the AGC in the former Lloyds Bank site in Palmers Green despite fierce opposition. The location for the new licence application is the former florist and estate agency on the corner of Green Lanes and Melbourne Avenue, just South of the North Circular Road.
Cynically, the application was lodged with the council on election day, whilst councillors were committed to the campaign and the subsequent organisation of the new council and committee structure. The new English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which came into effect at the end of April, effectively reverses the local authority's legal obligation to "aim to permit" gambling premises licences. The new framework allows councils to include provisions in their Statement of Gambling Principles that establish a presumption to refuse applications. Sadly Enfield Council have not yet had time to adopt a policy which covers this application.
We can however still object to the licence application on the following grounds:
- Rise in Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour: Likely increase in local crime, drug and alcohol use in the service road behind the premises and on pavements outside residents' homes.
- Targeting the Vulnerable: the site is located near nurseries, schools, a bus route, and 24hr residential care facilities for children and vulnerable adults.
- Enough is Enough: There are already 18 gambling premises within 1.5 miles of this location. We don’t want any more.
Local residents, supported by our newly elected councillor Alex Diner have prepared a template letter/email, (reproduced below) which can can be adapted to personalise your own experiences or concerns, but only the three areas of Preventing crime, Protecting the vulnerable and Ensuring fair gambling will be considered.
Letter Follows:
Dear Licensing Officer
I write to object to a licensing application for an Adult Gaming Centre on 101-103 & 105-109 Green Lanes, N13 4SP.
Bowes is already over-saturated with gambling premises, which suck wealth out of our community and attract crime and anti-social behaviour; 18 betting and adult gaming centre facilities already operate within 1.5miles of this location. We do not want or need any more gambling facilities in our community.
I urge the licensing authority to refuse this application because, under the Gambling Act 2005, this application fails to demonstrate it will not:
- Prevent gambling from being a source of crime or disorder Significant anti-social behaviour and criminal activity already occurs in the vicinity. In just one month alone (January 2026) there were 151 recorded crimes within 0.5 miles of the premises. Both drugs and anti-social behaviour offences have been committed on Melbourne Avenue.
- An adult gaming centre here will encourage further anti-social behaviour and criminality by attracting often vulnerable customers to this area, which is on the corner of a residential street, particularly late at night if a 24-hour licence is granted.
- Protect children and vulnerable persons A primary school, two nurseries, a home for young adult care leavers, and a church that provides services for vulnerable and often homeless people, all operate nearby. Many families with young children live in the area. Melbourne Avenue is often used as a thoroughfare for foot traffic between these places. A bus stop used by many school children and their parents is situated immediately adjacent to the premises.
- The introduction of an adult gaming centre, attracting and proliferating the type of anti-social behaviour and potential criminality outlined above, would therefore pose significant risk to local children and vulnerable persons. It would not be conducive to building the type of community we want in Bowes.
This application should therefore be refused. At a minimum, however, the hours granted under the licence should be reduced. Restricting the use of this premises to daytime hours only will mitigate some of these issues. Most of the anti-social and criminal activity that would arise occurs at nighttime, and the premises is located on the junction of a residential street. A 24-hour licence would only exacerbate the significant issues generated by this and cause great harm to this community.
We urge you to protect our community and refuse this application.
Yours sincerely
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Another application for an Adult Gambling Centre on Green Lanes
12 Jun 2026 16:52 #7571- Neil Littman
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Another application for an Adult Gambling Centre on Green Lanes
12 Jun 2026 17:58 #7572- Neil Littman
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Another application for an Adult Gambling Centre on Green Lanes
12 Jun 2026 18:04 #7573- Richard McKeever
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Neil,
A second licence application was posted at the premises with a new date of June 25th for objections, so you still have time to email your response to the licencing committee.
A second licence application was posted at the premises with a new date of June 25th for objections, so you still have time to email your response to the licencing committee.
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