New betting shop at former Woolwich

[Clyde]

Just noticed an application for another betting shop at the old Woolwich. It is only 1 door up from the William Hill.

[East Dulwich Angst]

You'll find a bit more about it HERE

[Clyde]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jan/12/consumeraffairs

just saw this.

[tomk]

I haven't seen the notice yet but if true this is bad news for Lordship Lane. Is there anything the public can do to stop this?

[tiddles]

oh pleeese! a baby shop, or coffe chain ANYTHING but a bookies!! I cannot believe there is the demand!

[Bellenden Belle]

That's the whole point Jan T - the guardian article points out that betting shops no longer have to prove there is a demand for the service, due to a recent change in the law - it's basically a free for all now.

[macroban]

Perhaps Bellenden Village aspires to an additional bookmaker to complement Coomes.

[Bellenden Belle]

And your point dear Macroban is...

[Clyde]

The people at Green Lanes got a petition of over 200 names and successfully defended themselves against three applications. I am sure if the councillors saw the local opposition they may start worrying about their seatsif they allow this to be granted. other than that everyone can write to the council licensing department like you do for planning.

I am sure Wiliam Hill and Ladbrokes will be doing something about it. I will speak to them tomorrow.

[????]

Let's have another trendy knick-knack shop selling over priced tat to the smug of ED

[SeanMacGabhann]

if this forum was QI there would now be a big klaxon sounding

[macroban]

> Let's have another trendy knick-knack shop selling over priced tat to the smug of ED

In a recession another trendy knick-knack shop selling under priced tat to the now not so smug of ED might do better.

[Jeremy]

Maybe there *is* demand, otherwise it wouldn't be opening? Surely the owners are not fools?

Macroban, if I didn't know better I'd think that you actually wanted a recession....

[AnotherPaul]

we need more bookies or a plague of small bic pens will engulf us.

[Clyde]

I can understand the need/demand for another betting shop if the existing ones were so crowded you couldn't get anymore people in. There are enough opportunities to gamble down LL if you include the Lottery, Rivoli amusement arcade, Ladbrokes. The article in the Guardian raises the point of exposure. The William Hill is already massive, the Woolwich is of comparable size. To pay the rent they will be under cutting each other promoting the feeling of no risk gambling with inducements and special offers. The existing gambling venues always look empty bar one man and his dog, has any one seen anyone in the Rivoli?

[????]

As I've said before.....have you noticed how many empty eateries there are on Lordship Lane most of the time?.....let's close half them down

[PreferToRemainAnon]

???? Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> As I've said before.....have you noticed how many

> empty eateries there are on Lordship Lane most of

> the time?.....let's close half them down

And replace them with what? Oh right, a job centre for all the poor buggers who'd be jobless. Very working class hero ????.

What would you say if Blockbusters were to open next to Prime Time?

All most of us want are shops that either enhance the Lane (SMBS et al) or at least don't drag it back to the grotty ol days. At least then I suppose we could reply to a thread about all the half empty bookies in ED suggesting we shut them all down.......

[telboy]

You can object to the grant of this licence application if you can be classed as an interested party e.g a local resident or a local business that will be affected by it. To do so you will need to write to Southwark Licensing Service, C/O Environmental Health and Trading Services, The Chaplin Centre, Thurlow Street, London, SE17 2DG by the 18th of January 2008. Your objection must meet one or more of the three licensing objectives i.e Keeping Gambling Crime Free; Making Sure that Gambling is Fair and Open; Protecting Children and Vulnerable Persons. Subject to your objection being received by the due date you can also attend at the Local Authority Licensing Committee Meeting that will decide the application and give verbal evidence. Such action by local people has been successful under the new legislation. People in support of the application have a similar right of representation under the same criteria. The Statutory Notice currently affixed to the frontage of the premises gives similar information. It is a matter for local people to decide whether they want another betting ofice or not and take the appropriate action by the 18th January 2008. After that the opportunity is lost.

[Ant]

There are already loads of betting shops in ED, and they always seem to be empty apart from one or two forlorn-looking punters.

[SeanMacGabhann]

oh Ant - that's like catnip to some people

"I often see the restuarants and bars emty as well, we should close them down too" etc etc

ignoring the fact that they are often rammed as well (and therefore a very different proposition to betting shops)

[telboy]

Ant Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> There are already loads of betting shops in ED,

> and they always seem to be empty apart from one or

> two forlorn-looking punters.

Ant, if you are opposed to it you have the opportunity to make your views heard by the LOcal Authority but the clock is ticking. Same goes for anybody else who is against it or for it.

[EDOldie]

Trouble is the retail mentality. No diversity, if you own a betting shop nd you want to open another one where better than near another betting shop. Why do you think there are so many Estate Agents and restaurants? Why do people go to Brick Lne (or LL for that matter) for a curry. Pigeons and car parks.

[Clyde]

I would rather see a LL with restaurants than bookies. As soon as the betting operators see that a council or an area are having licences granted it brings them in like flies to you know what.

[????]

Fantastic, you mean potentially the whole of LL could be a row of betting shops? Wow! We could do with a shop selling loads of baby stuff too and how about a highly expensive nick-nack shop, etc. etc.

[EDOldie]

Er, yes ???? thats about the p*ss poor mentality of large commercial firms who have little understanding or appreciation of what communities actually want. What they do understand is ???? (no pun intended).