Locals raised objections to the Paddy Power planning application over concern it would target young and vulnerable people, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Paddy Power in Ballards Lane (credit Google)

Plans to refurbish a betting shop in Finchley have been granted despite local concern the redesign targets the young and vulnerable.

Barnet Council’s licensing sub-committee approved plans for a Paddy Power unit at 76 Ballards Lane to make alterations to its premises.

David Roberts, a licensing consultant acting on behalf of Paddy Power, told the committee: “What this application is not is an application for a new betting licence, it’s an application for a review of the existing licence.”

He continued: “This application that’s being made by Paddy Power is actually a really important investment in these premises. They are very well-run premises and they’ve got a very good track record.”

David explained the main change involved moving the counter as well as machines around as part of a plan to make the shop “more customer interactive” and to encourage staff to be more “involved in the shop floor, rather than being hidden away”.

The premises size won’t change and neither will the operating times.

However, local residents submitted objections fearing this new in-store experince would attract “young and vulnerable” customers.

Suri Rodericks wrote that she didn’t think the refurbishment was in the “interest of the community” and would “exploit [the] young and vulnerable”.

Farbod Nazmi said: “My fear, along with many other residents, is that these makeovers will target the young and the vulnerable in our town. I like living in Finchley, it is quiet and there is a community feel here.

“I have visited these new stores. The community feel has been taken out of them. In my humble opinion, they are created to target the young.”

Despite raising concerns no objectors attended the hearing but Labour committee member Ernest Ambe asked David to respond to the objections.

David reiterated the premises were extremely well run and had had no issues with the police. He said: “Our position in relation to children is exactly the same as it is at the moment, under 18s are not allowed on the premises. This new format is an improvement in the facilities and we think that’s good for our customer base.

“This is certainly not a change in format to encourage vulnerable persons and children to the premises.”

Following the hearing the committee voted to approve the application.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.