We live in the ‘UK’s Las Vegas’ – we hate it and no one will help us so we’re taking on the council
RESIDENTS who live in the “UK’s Las Vegas” have said they hate the number of betting shops and are taking on the council.
There are six gambling venues between Craven Park Road and the top of the High Street in Harlesden, Brent.
The north-west London street has two Silver Time amusement centres, two Ladbrokes, one William Hill and one Paddy Power.
And locals have slammed Brent Council for allowing so many casinos to be opened in such a small radius.
They also claim that the gambling establishments are taking advantage of an already deeply deprived area.
The Brent Poverty Commission in 2020 found that 33 per cent of households in the borough are in poverty.
The commission also recommended that the local authority “acquire shops suitable for conversion into housing to regenerate high streets”.
“It’s exactly that – the Las Vegas of London,” said Janie Lightfoot, who was born and raised in Harlesden.
“It’s disgusting that the council have allowed so many betting shops to be so close to each other in an area where people have very, very little money and what money they have goes into these wretched places.
“There are lots of vulnerable people in this area and they are taking advantage of them.”
Campaigners earlier this month protested against Silver Time‘s plan to open a new adult gaming centre in Park Parade.
Ms Lightfoot continued: “There is another licence now just at the other side of the traffic lights which is not even 500 metres away from a Silver Time.
“They want to have two betting shops because we have already opposed them having a full betting shop. So they are separating the building.
“It’s the last thing we need. We are protesting against it and we will continue to. It’s about time that Brent actually listened to what the people here are saying.
“People are underprivileged here. This just isn’t the place for betting shops. We want decent community centres, affordable shops or even more charity shops.
“Let’s help people. Not take away what very little people have. These vulnerable people think they can make a bit of money, but these things are fixed.
“The guys that own these places sit on their arses and earn a living. All they cause is unhappiness.”
Louise Currie, 35, from Harlesden, said: “We do have a high population of those that may like to indulge a bit more.”
One man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “There is a lot of vulnerability around here. I know the Met town centre teams engage quite heavily in this area.”
Alison Cotter, 51, added: “You do get a lot of people playing machines. They come out moaning when they’ve lost their money.
“They were attempting to open a fruit machine place around the corner but we are trying to block it.”
Emma Dunlope, 61, originally from Lincolnshire, said: “There are loads of betting shops in this area.
“I think they are definitely taking advantage of people here. There is a real sense of hopelessness in this area.”
Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “We understand and sympathise with the issues being raised by local residents, and we share the same concern about the potential harm and impact of too many gambling-related premises in Brent.
“The safety and welfare of our communities is our top priority, including protecting people from the risk of gambling-related harm.
“However, our hands are tied as we are restricted by the Gambling Act 2005 which places a legal duty on the council to aim to permit these types of gambling premises.
“We would fully support any change in the law that would give local authorities more say and power over the types of premises allowed on our high streets.”
A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council said: “Our members are proud of the role they play on hard-pressed high streets. Betting shops in the UK support 46,000 jobs, contribute £1bn a year in tax to the Treasury and another £60m in business rates to local councils.
“Meanwhile, a study by ESA Retail found that 89 per cent of betting shop customers combine their trip to the bookies with visits to other local businesses.
“We are encouraged by the latest figures from the Gambling Commission that showed the rate of problem gambling was 0.3 per cent – down from 0.4 per cent the year previous.
“The BGC’s largest members pledged an additional £100m of funding over four years for Research, Education and Treatment services to tackle gambling harm to be administered by GambleAware. BGC members have gone further and will have provided £110 million to GambleAware by the end of March 2024.”