A former high street bank in Willesden could be turned into a bingo hall despite concerns over the number of gambling shops in the borough.

The old Lloyds Bank branch in Walm Lane has been earmarked for the new venue, according to planning documents submitted to Brent Council.

Applicant Star Commercial Property Ltd has asked to keep the planned bingo hall open until after midnight every day of the week.

The former bank, which shut in March this year, had shorter opening hours, and did not open on a Sunday.

The application comes just weeks after Brent Council raised concerns about the number of gambling shops in the borough.

Council leader Cllr Muhammed Butt wrote to culture secretary Lisa Nandy urging the government to tighten planning laws around the venues.

He said that national guidelines should stipulate that bingo halls and adult gaming centres are in the same planning category as bookmakers.

This would prevent applicants from bypassing the 3 per cent cap on such venues by splitting premises between categories, he claimed.

Cllr Butt added that local authorities should be given the power to reject premises licence applications that “threaten the community’s welfare and safety”.

As it stands, the Gambling Act 2005 requires councils to “aim to permit” licences for gambling premises unless they do not meet the licensing objectives.

Full details of the application can be found on Brent Council’s planning portal under referenced 24/2877.

 

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport previously did not respond to a request for comment.

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