A Brent neighbourhood that saw all of its high street banks closed this year could see one of the former branches turned into a bingo hall. However, residents feel gambling companies are ‘deliberately targeting deprived areas’ and say the empty banks in Willesden provide an opportunity to attract businesses that ‘would better serve and diversify the area’.
Star Commercial Property Ltd has submitted an application to Brent Council looking to convert the former Lloyds bank, located at the junction of Walm Lane and High Road, into a bingo hall. The company has outlined plans for a £2m overhaul of the premises, which have been vacant since the branch closed in March of this year.
Residents at the time described the closure of high street banks in the area as ‘bad news’ due to it largely impacting the elderly, many of whom aren’t accustomed to digital banking. The latest plan has led to many residents voicing their frustration at the existing volume of gambling sites already in Willesden, which they claim have contributed to the ‘very noticeable decline’ of the area.
Objecting to the application, one resident said: “We already have a very large bingo hall in Cricklewood, less than half a mile away. We also have numerous establishments in the same field, betting shops and adult gaming centres. Our town centres are becoming simply rows and rows of betting shops, gaming centres and pawnbrokers. They provide no value for hard working families who live in the area.”
They added: “There is strong evidence linking high densities of gambling establishments to increased social problems, including financial hardship and addiction. […] The vacant bank presents an opportunity to attract businesses that would better serve and diversify the area, such as community centres, retail spaces, cafés, or cultural venues.
“These types of establishments could contribute positively to the community, encourage foot traffic, support local economies, and create an environment that fosters community cohesion.”
Another said: “Willesden Green already has many bingo/gaming establishments with a 1/2 mile radius. It will only encourage more addiction and will contribute to the very noticeable decline in the area.”
If approved, the latest plan will see the ground floor of the vacant branch turned into a bingo hall, which will open from 9am to 1am Monday to Friday, and until 12:30am on Sundays. There are a whole raft of gaming and gambling premises in Willesden already, which one objector described as ‘utterly unacceptable’. They include nine bookies, an existing bingo hall, and other gaming centres all located within a one-mile stretch.
A statement on behalf of the applicant claims the premises have been a non-retail use for decades. It states: “The proposed use will provide a more active frontage than a bank opening for longer hours every day. The external appearance of this building will be improved by the provision of a new front entrance door and window display at street level.”
The application comes just weeks after Brent Council raised concerns about the number of gambling shops in the borough. Brent Council leader, Cllr Muhammed Butt, wrote to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urging the government to tighten planning laws around such venues, including giving local authorities the power to reject premises licence applications that ‘threaten the community’s welfare and safety’.
Cllr Butt also wants to see national guidelines stipulate that bingo halls and adult gaming centres are in the same planning category as bookmakers. He claims this would prevent applicants from bypassing the three per cent cap on such venues by splitting premises between categories.
Grant Williams is a journalist and Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) for Reach PLC, reporting on local government, politics and community issues across London. As part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he has contributed to Harrow Online, covering council decisions, housing developments, transport, planning matters and stories affecting local communities across Harrow and Brent.
