Dear supporters, it is with a very heavy heart that I bring you the worst possible news: after months of hard work and community action, the hearing to review the Merkur Slots licence was suddenly cancelled at the last minute, due to Cashino Gaming Ltd. threatening the council with legal action and calling for a judicial review.

This is devastating news and naturally, we are extremely angry and bitterly disappointed with this outcome. It is a clear case of the hugely powerful gambling industry crushing individual and community protest and blocking the will of the people.

Once again, we (and the council) are at the mercy of the Gambling Act 2005 which is why we so desperately need the law to be changed. We can now only rely on our Enfield MPs to continue this fight on our behalf and acknowledge the tremendous help and support of our Enfield Southgate MP Bambos Charalambous.

Our campaign group would like to thank you all for your continued support for our cause, for writing multiple letters of protest and especially those who wrote representations for the hearing, which in the end was sadly dismissed.

Moving forward, we will continue to support efforts to reverse the decline of our high street and plan for positive change to make improvements, keeping the area safe, socially vibrant and commercially viable.

We are taking this opportunity to regroup and consider what action (if any) should follow. We would welcome your comments, ideas and suggestions.

Wendy Sands

on behalf of StopPGmerkurslots campaign group.