Bowes Residents Fight New 24-Hour Gambling Site – Bowes 2026

Key Points

• Residents in Bowes, North London, are opposing a licensing application for a new 24-hour adult gaming centre called Palace Amusements
• The proposed venue would be located at 101-109 Green Lanes, replacing a former florist and estate agent unit on the corner with Melbourne Avenue
• The Melbourne Avenue Residents’ Group, supported by more than 50 local people, argues Bowes is already “over-saturated with gambling premises”
• Residents claim existing gambling venues “suck wealth out of our community and attract crime and anti-social behaviour”
• The licensing application was submitted to Enfield Council in May 2026
• East Kent Leasing Limited, the company behind the application, already operates a Palace Amusements venue in Palmers Green after winning a planning appeal last year
• The company runs or is establishing 22 gambling and bingo establishments across the country, including in Wood Green
• Residents argue the application goes against licensing objectives for crime prevention and protection of children and vulnerable people
• Cllr Elisa Morreale, Enfield Council’s cabinet member for licensing, acknowledged concerns but noted limited grounds for refusal under current national legislation
• The closing date for representations regarding the Green Lanes licence application is Thursday, 25 June 2026
• Cllr Morreale hopes new legislation within the next year will strengthen local authorities’ powers to resist such applications

Bowes (North London News) June 4, 2026 — Residents in Bowes are mounting a coordinated campaign against plans for another 24-hour gambling site in their neighbourhood, arguing that existing gambling venues already attract crime and “suck wealth” from the community.

As reported by the Evening Standard, a licensing application to open an ‘adult gaming centre’ called Palace Amusements was submitted to Enfield Council in May 2026.

The proposed venue would be located between 101 and 109 Green Lanes, replacing a former florist and an estate agent’s unit on the corner with Melbourne Avenue.

Why Do Residents Say Bowes Is Already Over-Saturated?

The Melbourne Avenue Residents’ Group, which says it has the support of more than 50 local people, has written to the council urging it not to grant the latest licensing application. The letter, shared by Rozerin Ozbek, argues that

“Bowes is already over-saturated with gambling premises, which suck wealth out of our community and attract crime and anti-social behaviour”.

‘We do not want or need any more gambling facilities in our community,’ the group adds.

How Does This Relate to Licensing Objectives?

Residents argue the application goes against the council’s licensing objectives – factors that a local authority must consider when granting, renewing or rescinding a licence.

A new gambling venue, the residents say, would go against licensing objectives for the prevention of crime and disorder as well as the protection of children and vulnerable people.

They argue that, at the very least, the council should not allow the gambling shop to be open 24 hours a day. Such a licence, they say, ‘would only exacerbate’ the issues caused and ’cause great harm to this community’.

Who Is Behind the Application and What Is Their Track Record?

The name of the company applying for the new licence – and also in charge of the existing Palace Amusements gambling venue in Palmers Green – is East Kent Leasing Limited.

Behind this banal corporate name is a business running or establishing 22 gambling and bingo establishments across the country, including in Wood Green.

What Happened with the Palmers Green Venue?

The same company also won permission last year, via a planning appeal, to open a similar venue further north along Green Lanes, in Palmers Green town centre.

As reported by Enfield Dispatch, the plans by Palace Amusements to open an adult gaming centre at the former Lloyds Bank branch in Green Lanes was refused by Enfield Council last year.

The council sided with local people raising concerns and decided in July 2024 to refuse planning permission on the basis that it

“would lead to a clustering, intensification and over-concentration of betting and gambling uses in the immediate area”

which

“would be detrimental to the vitality, viability and character of the town centre”.

Palace Amusements has since submitted an appeal to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, hoping to overturn the council’s decision.

The firm argues that adult gaming centres “contribute to the vitality and viability of other nearby commercial premises by a significant increase in footfall”.

What Evidence Did the Company Submit in Its Appeal?

In the appeal, under its company name East Kent Leasing Ltd, the firm states:

“The submitted evidence demonstrates that the proposed development will not result in clustering, intensification and overconcentration of betting uses in the immediate area”.

“Furthermore, the economic benefits of the proposed development should be taken into consideration. Along with creating job opportunities, the proposed development would bring a vacant unit in the Palmers Green district centre back into use. This is particularly relevant given that Palmers Green has recently seen an increase in the number of vacant units”.

A petition against the latest gaming centre plan was signed by more than 1,000 signatures in the summer of 2023 when the plans were first revealed, after Palmers Green Action Team warned that such gambling venues could lead to crime and disorder and put children at risk of “becoming normalised to gambling”.

What Does Enfield Council Say About the Application?

Responding to concerns about the latest Green Lanes application, Elisa Morreale, the council’s new cabinet member for licensing, said: ‘While we cannot comment on the individual licence application, we understand the concerns raised by local residents about the number and concentration of gaming venues in Enfield’.

How Does the Council View Gambling Venues in Town Centres?

‘We want our town centres to be thriving, safe and welcoming places for everyone. In our view, gambling and gaming venues offer limited benefit to local communities and risk undermining these aims’.

‘There is growing concern about the clustering of such premises in more deprived areas, where low-stake, high-frequency gaming machines can disproportionately impact those who are least able to afford it. We are also mindful of the potential for these venues to contribute to wider issues, including antisocial behaviour’.

Why Can’t the Council Simply Refuse the Application?

‘However, the council’s role is governed by national legislation. Where an applicant meets the required legal criteria, there are limited grounds on which an application can be refused’.

‘This makes it challenging to prevent new premises from opening, even where there is strong local opposition’.

Is There Hope for Stronger Local Powers?

Cllr Morreale said she hoped new legislation would come into force in the next year to help strengthen the power of local authorities to resist such applications, adding: ‘Nevertheless, we will continue with our efforts to better protect our communities and town centres’.

How Can Residents Make Their Views Known?

The closing date for representations regarding the Green Lanes licence application is Thursday, 25 June 2026. Details about this and other licensing applications in Enfield can be found on the council’s website.

Residents can also email licensing@enfield.gov.uk to submit their views.

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Background: The Development of Gambling Venue Opposition in Enfield

The opposition to gambling venues in Enfield has been building for several years. In Palmers Green, a petition against a gaming centre plan gathered more than 1,000 signatures in summer 2023. Palmers Green Action Team warned that such venues could lead to crime and disorder and put children at risk of

“becoming normalised to gambling”.

Enfield Council refused planning permission for the Palmers Green venue in July 2024, citing concerns about clustering and over-concentration of betting uses.

Despite this refusal, Palace Amusements won a planning appeal last year, allowing the venue to open in Palmers Green town centre.

The current application in Bowes represents the latest chapter in this ongoing conflict. East Kent Leasing Limited, behind Palace Amusements, is running or establishing 22 gambling and bingo establishments across the country. The company previously opened a Merkur Slots gaming centre in 2021 despite local opposition.

Research indicates that living near gambling venues may increase financial hardship and mental health problems, with effects largest for more vulnerable populations. People living closer to venues gamble more, leading to harmful outcomes.

Prediction: How This Development Could Affect Bowes Residents

If the licensing application is granted, Bowes residents could face several consequences based on patterns observed in other areas.

The Melbourne Avenue Residents’ Group warns that additional gambling premises would

“suck wealth out of our community”.

Potential Impact on Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour

Residents argue existing venues already attract crime and anti-social behaviour. Cllr Morreale acknowledged the council is

“mindful of the potential for these venues to contribute to wider issues, including antisocial behaviour”.

Research shows proximity to gambling venues correlates with increased harmful outcomes.

Financial Impact on Vulnerable Residents

The council noted concerns about clustering in more deprived areas, where “low-stake, high-frequency gaming machines can disproportionately impact those who are least able to afford it”. Studies indicate living near gambling venues may increase financial hardship.

Protection of Children and Vulnerable People

Residents specifically cited licensing objectives for “protection of children and vulnerable people”. Palmers Green Action Team previously warned children risk “becoming normalised to gambling” through proximity to such venues.

Community Wealth and High Street Vitality

The council stated gambling venues offer “limited benefit to local communities and risk undermining” aims for thriving town centres. Residents argue venues “suck wealth out of our community” rather than contributing to local economic vitality.