Hackney Council responds to government announcement on betting shops

The Government has today announced it will consult on proposals to give councils greater planning control over applications to open betting shops.

This announcement represents a real victory for local government and demonstrates what councils can achieve when they unite for a cause. Hackney Council, along with authorities across the country, 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 against the current betting shop free-for-all. “We will now look into the detail of these proposals. If, as it appears, they could deliver the meaningful change to planning law which we've been campaigning for we will push for any new legislation to be brought in as soon as possible. Such changes cannot come soon enough and it’s crucial councils remain united during the consultation process as we should be in no doubt the powerful gambling lobby will do its best to water down these proposals. “For too many years councils have been powerless to stop betting shops taking over their high streets, much to the frustration of our residents. Our campaigning has never been about banning betting shops. We acknowledge responsible and well-run businesses have a right to trade, but what we need is the ability to strike the right balance for our high streets, something our residents continually tell us they want.

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney