Residents of North London’s Palmers Green staged a ‘no bet’ protest.
On Friday, June 25, protestors gather in Palmers Green to opposed the opening of ‘Merkul’ betting chain companies.
“Don’t play with our future,” the participants appealed to the Enfiled Council to revoke the licence that has been granted to Merkur Slots.
The protestors also included local MP Bambos Charalambous and the Green party’s Sian Berry, who ran against Sadiq Khan in the London Mayor elections this May.
The London Assembly Member called for the council to revote the licences, showing her support for the local residents.
In a petition with over 4,600 signatures, the protestors said ” The planning and licensing application was made in December 2020 when we were in the middle of a national pandemic and Covid19 was at a peak. People were following government advice to stay at home and this drastically reduced opportunities for the community to be properly informed as the notices would not have had the amount of exposure expected in normal circumstances. Consequently, very few people would have been aware of the application for a 24hr gambling licence and plans for illuminated signage in the short time allowed. Furthermore, we feel Enfield Council did not follow the due process in respect of the notifications.
“We feel we were not properly consulted or given a chance to raise objections due to the extreme circumstances of the pandemic and that this application has slipped under the radar unchallenged. We are proud of our local area and strongly object to yet another gambling establishment that we don’t want or need…”
Green Party London Assmeby Member Sian Berry
