We are a group of local residents who strongly oppose the proposed licence for Merkur Slots at 120A-122 West Green Road, South Tottenham, London N15 5AA.

The applicants want to set up a bingo premises on the site with a number of additional gaming machines. This would replace the William Hill betting shop that used to occupy the same premises.

We oppose any new betting or gambling premises here for a number of reasons:

1. The previous establishment attracted a lot of antisocial behaviour on and around this part of West Green Road: litter discarded by customers; loitering and smoking outside the shop; and public urinating, especially on nearby Kirkton Road and on the ramp connecting to Braemar Road;
2. There is a serious problem with drug dealing in this neighbourhood. Local residents often see it taking place on Kirkton Road and in nearby Brunswick Park. Gambling establishments in other parts of the borough have helped fuel this activity;
3. West Green Road is a busy shopping street but less desirable establishments like this will discourage shoppers from visiting the independent businesses that already operate on that stretch, such as Crystal Dry Cleaners or Cafe Lemon;
4. The proposed licence is for the less affluent eastern side of Haringey and will do nothing to address to social imbalance that exists in the borough or enhance the local area's reputation;
5. The issues associated with gambling establishments like these will be an additional drain on council and police resources at a time when these are more limited than ever before.

Proposals for this business to receive a 24 hour licence are nothing short of intolerable.

Haringey Council's statutory consultation period ends on 22 March 2021 and local residents are encouraged to response to officials directly by visiting this page: https://www.haringey.gov.uk/business/licensing-and-regulations/licensing/licensing-representations/licensing-applications-under-consultation

But please also sign this petition and indicate the name of the road where you live (no door numbers, please) so we can give the Council a further idea of how strong local opposition is to this proposal.