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Games arcade company launch bid for bingo hall
Firm behind controversial judicial review lodge new application
THE company behind a controversial games arcade in Holloway Road – which could change national policy if it wins a High Court battle against Islington Council next year – is bidding to open an electronic bingo hall.
Agora Amusements in Nags Head has won the right to take on the Town Hall in a judicial review next year after losing a fight to split its premises into three parts, to facilitate three times as many high-value machines. Objectors have accused the firm of trying to exploit a legal loophole in the law to increase its Vegas-style, big-payout capacity.
But with the High Court battle not expected to take place until next year, Agora is branching out, trying to attract older customers and daytime shoppers. Its application to incorporate a bingo hall into the premises will be heard at the East Area planning committee on Monday.
At the same time, they have lodged a second application to turn part of the arcade into a centre for “financial or professional services” – which could be a bank or a betting shop.
In a letter to the Town Hall’s planning department, Agora says the bingo hall will appeal “to all social classes and adult age groups which lean towards the older customer”. They say their target market is the “adult shopper” and that they plan to install mechanised and electronic bingo, including seating for paper bingo.
The letter adds: “We envisage most of the games will be played on Electronic Bingo Terminals.” The machines will be electronically linked to other bingo halls, turning over games every five to 10 minutes.
Holloway councillor Barry Edwards said: “This is an attempt to get round the gaming policy. I would urge the planning committee to defer this until the judicial review has been concluded.
“A lot of people are watching it.
“It will set the precedent for the whole country.”
He added: “They are trying to maximise what they can get out of the premises. It’s not a good thing for the area. It’s one of the most deprived parts of the borough. We have a lot of low-level, low stakes social bingo in Islington but this is different. Here they will go into an arcade, sit at a machine, shove money in and never talk to anyone.”
Lib Dem councillor Tracy Ismail added: “It seems a bit like they are hedging their bets. It seems questionable that they are having a judicial review but at the same time putting in applications. I’ve no idea what they are up to.”
The Tribune attempted to contacted Agora’s agent for a comment but he did not return calls.
However, in a letter to planners, the company’s agent said: “It [the arcade] has traded for the last year successfully and without any of the problems forecasted by objectors. It is a well-run professional establishment.” |
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