A Bedford Borough Council licensing panel said concerns about crime, disorder and the impact on vulnerable people around a proposed gambling venue were “real and credible” before granting a licence for a new 24-hour adult gaming centre in Silver Street.
Subject to conditions, Jonathan Abbott (Lib Dem), Sue Abood (Lib Dem) and Christine McHugh (Lib Dem) approved Future Leisure Ltd’s application for premises at 19 Silver Street.
They concluded that granting the licence would be “reasonably consistent with the licensing objectives” set out in the Gambling Act 2005.
Read: New Bedford town centre gaming centre approved despite objections over crime and vulnerability
The sub-committee noted that the proposed site is located in “a challenging area within the Town Centre” and highlighted evidence presented during the hearing about the busy night-time economy, nearby education establishments, community facilities, charitable organisations and St Paul’s Church, which support young and vulnerable people.
The committee also noted that Bedfordshire Police had expressed particular concern about the application for a 24-hour licence.
However, the decision notice states that there was “little evidence” that existing gambling premises in the area, particularly machine-based premises, had been associated with crime or disorder or that vulnerable people had frequented them, apart from one example involving an under-18 at a betting premises.
The sub-committee also noted that Future Leisure holds a Gambling Commission operator’s licence and that there was no recorded evidence of issues at the company’s existing premises in other locations.
The decision states that the committee was required to apply Section 153 of the Gambling Act 2005 and that it considered the grant of the licence to be in accordance with Gambling Commission guidance and Bedford Borough Council’s Statement of Principles.
The councillors concluded that the licence could be granted subject to mandatory conditions and a series of additional requirements.
Conditions
These include comprehensive CCTV coverage, a Think 25 age-verification policy, a magnetic locking system that requires customers to be admitted by staff overnight, an incident log, a minimum of two staff members on duty whenever the premises are open, and an SIA-licensed door supervisor between 11pm and 7am.
The committee also imposed an additional condition prohibiting gaming machines from being positioned so that they could be seen through the front windows by passers-by.
The decision notice states that the sub-committee remained concerned that the area is frequented by children and vulnerable people, but considered the applicant’s customer monitoring procedures, staff training, self-exclusion policies and local area risk assessment when reaching its decision.
Councillors also noted that the Gambling Act provides powers to review a premises licence in future if concerns relating to crime, disorder, children or vulnerable people arise.
The decision notice states that the committee could not take into account moral or ethical objections to gambling, the desirability of further gambling premises in Bedford or whether planning permission may be granted for the site.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
