Slot Machine Chain Wants To Open Around The Clock In Wimbledon
Opposition to planning application for 24/7 town centre gambling
Reels Casino slots in Wimbledon town centre
A slot machine arcade in Wimbledon town centre is asking for permission to operate around the clock.
The Reels Casino Slots premises on The Broadway (pictured above) is now open from 9am to 11pm, but wants to stay open on a 24-hour basis.
The Dagenham-based company said it would expect to attract between five to ten customers from 11pm to 9am - most of which would be people working in the night-time economy or those leaving restaurants or theatres.
In its application to Merton Council to vary the existing conditions of its original planning permission it states that existing customers leave in the evening to seek premises operating later, even catching trains to find them.
But the Wimbledon Society has objected to the extended hours for the gaming centre, which is a former bank and betting shop.
Chris Goodair, Chair of the Wimbledon Society Planning and Environment Committee, said: "This is totally unacceptable. The establishment is very close to residential areas and there is a clear potential for local residents to be disturbed by unacceptable noise levels.
"Gaming establishments of this type constitute a small enclosed space and are highly likely to constitute a venue for undesirable activities late at night and in the early hours of the morning. There can be no benefit to the local community in permiting gaming at such times.
January 16, 2022