Agenda item
Application by Zenastar Ltd for a betting premises licence for 'George Irvins Casino' (509A High Street, Wembley, HA0 2DH) pursuant to the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005
Decision:
Having considered the evidence presented to it by the applicant and the Police the Sub-Committee decided that the application by “Zenastar Ltd” for variation of trading hours for a betting premises for ‘George Irvins Casino’ (509A High Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 2DH) pursuant to the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 be granted subject to the following conditions;
(1) that trading hours be varied from 06.00 - 22.00 to 10.00 hours to 12.00 midnight, seven days a week;
(2) that the applicant should ensure an unobstructed view into the premises;
(3) that a “mag lock” be installed and be in operation from 21.00 hours until midnight, seven days a week.
Minutes:
Relevant authority making a representation
Luke Ponte (legal representative, Metropolitan Police)
PC Nicola McDonald (Licensing Officer, Brent Police)
Premises licence holder
George Irvin (designated premises supervisor - DPS)
Roger Etchells (DPS legal representative)
Alan Howarth (Licensing Manager, Health Safety and Licensing) introduced the matter and advised the Sub-Committee that the application was for a variation of a premises licence from 06:00 hours – 22:00 hours to 10:00 – 02:00 hours. He clarified that the premises had been sub-divided into 509 High Road for an Adult Gaming Centre for an unlimited number of gaming (fruit) machines and 509A for a betting shop
Case for the applicant
The applicant’s legal representative, Mr Roger Etchells stated that the application for variation of opening was consistent with the following licensing objectives:
1. Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime and disorder or being used to support crime.
2 Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way
3 Protect children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
He added that the premises which were compact and readily supervised had maintained a good track record and that the police had never been called to the premises. In reference to the crime and incident statistics set out in the objections raised by the Police Mr Etchells stated that the national picture did not mirror the situation in the Wembley area or BetGeorge, a responsible operator. He continued that the applicant would install a locking device similar to the type in the Adult gaming Centre at 509 High Road, Wembley. In addition a close circuit television (CCTV) system and an inter-communicating system linking 509 and 509A would be in place for staff and customer safety.
The Licensing Police Officer enquired as to the number of customers his client expected between 9:00pm and 10:00pm and the split of revenue for adult gaming and betting. In response, Mr Etchells stated that his client expected about 5-10 persons after 22:00 hours. He added that information about revenue split was commercially sensitive and that his client had not conducted a market research as part of this application.
Relevant authority making a representation
The legal representative for the Police, Luke Ponte informed the Sub-Committee that the gambling Commission had confirmed to him that there was no betting office operating till 02:00 hours. In his view there was not much trade to justify the application for variation and extension of trading hours and that the applicant had not done any market research to prove that. He was concerned that the grant of the application for a variation would result in crime and disorder. Luke Ponte suggested the inclusion of the following conditions if members were minded to grant the application;
(i) The presence of door staff after 21:30 hours.
(ii) A “Mag-lock” system be installed to operate from 21:30 hours.
(iii) Clear and obstructed view into the premises be kept at all times.
The Licensing Constable Nicola McDonald reiterated her objections to the application for variation of trading hours on grounds of crime and disorder and protection against vulnerable persons. She added that since the introduction of the Gambling Act in September 2007, there had been a dramatic rise in the number of robberies in betting shops especially after 19:00 hours and in the winter months. In view of this increase and having regard to the other existing late night establishments in the area, emergency services were being stretched to their limits. Nothing in the application had given an indication as to steps and actions that would be taken to prevent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour from occurring within the premises. The Police were already dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour throughout betting shops along the High Road and Ealing Road and it was their firm belief that should this application be granted, after 22:00 hours, individuals would migrate to 509A High Road (BetGeorge) and their activities would in turn be the focus of these premises.
Having considered the evidence presented to it by the applicant and the Police the Sub-Committee decided that the application by “Zenastar Ltd” for variation of trading hours for a betting premises for ‘George Irvins Casino’ (509A High Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 2DH) pursuant to the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005 be granted subject to the following conditions;
(1) that trading hours be varied from 06.00 - 22.00 to 10.00 hours to 12.00 midnight, seven days a week;
(2) that the applicant should ensure an unobstructed view into the premises;
(3) that a “mag lock” be installed and be in operation from 21.00 hours until midnight, seven days a week.