Hackney calls for people to have their say on betting shops consultation

Hackney Council has welcomed government proposals to grant councils more control over betting shops, but warns they don’t go far enough and is calling on people to make their voices heard.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has launched a public consultation on planning reform which asks whether gambling firms should have to get planning permission to open a betting shop. Currently they can open a high street branch in a range of premises without needing approval from anyone.

However, the proposals would still mean one brand of betting shop could take over another’s premises without needing permission, leaving councils powerless to address areas where bookies have already clustered. 

The betting shops element of this consultation represents a real victory for Hackney and local government and demonstrates what councils can achieve when they unite for a cause. Hackney Council has long been calling on government to give us the tools to tackle the blight of bookies in our high streets. At last ministers have listened to the overwhelming weight of public and council opinion, citing the Hackney-led campaign in its reasoning. “What we need to do now is make sure this weight of opinion is reflected in the consultation process. It’s crucial we remain united as we should be in no doubt the powerful gambling lobby will do its best to water down these proposals. As well as Hackney Council itself submitting a formal consultation response, we will be encouraging local residents and organisations to make their voices heard too. “For too many years councils have been powerless to stop the proliferation and clustering of betting shops, their parent companies often cynically targeting deprived communities. Our campaigning has never been about banning betting shops, it’s about giving councils and the people they represent the ability to strike the right balance for their high streets. As such, the Government’s current proposals don’t go far enough as we would still be left powerless to address areas where bookies have already clustered.

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney