Communities will get greater protection from the blight of bookies after tougher powers were announced to act on betting shop clustering and ensure vibrant local high streets.
The Coalition Government has listened to repeated calls by Lib Dems and is consulting on plans to place betting shops in their own planning class to stop them taking over empty shops without the need for planning permission. In future, betting shops will have to seek permission to open new premises.
Government is also proposing that betting firms make clear to councils how new premises will meet social responsibility requirements in relation to local circumstances. Anyone wishing to spend more than £50 on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) will need authorisation from betting shop managers.
The Local Government Association, which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, said the proposals will help areas desperate to protect high streets at risk of being over-run by betting shops. It will also help councils protect residents at particular risk of harm from problem gambling and FOBTs.
Cllr Howard Sykes, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said:
“The Liberal Democrat opposition group has called on Government to grant Oldham Council tougher powers to address problems caused by the proliferation of betting shops and FOBTs so we are pleased ministers have listened to our concerns and the Government is taking action. This will be a significant step in the right direction. I urge the Government to implement these changes as quickly as possible.
“Liberal Democrat Councillors are not against bookmakers. We understand that betting shops can be an important part of local communities that create jobs for local people. However, we know how concerned people are by clusters of betting shops taking over their local high street, and we also fear that people losing money through Fixed Odds Betting Terminals often turn to payday lenders and loan sharks to pay off debts or fund their gambling habit.
Betting industry firms like William Hill and BetFred have come out in support of tougher powers for councils. The Local Government Association will use its new Betting Commission to work with the betting shops to ensure that these new proposals are workable.
The betting industry needs to respect government’s intentions and the concerns of local leaders, and respond favourably.”
Liberal Democrat Communities Minister Stephen Williams said:
“Across the country many people are concerned about the explosion in the number of betting shops in some high streets. We are determined to build a stronger economy and a fairer society with healthy and diverse high streets that aren’t dominated by betting shops, this is why the government is now giving councils tough new powers to prevent the proliferation of betting shops in their area.
In the current system, a betting shop is in the same category as a bank or estate agent and can open without the need for a planning application where a premises becomes vacant. The changes to the use means that local authorities will have the power to scrutinise applications and refuse them where there are grounds to do so”.
NOTES
1. The LGA has established a Betting Commission with the ‘Big Five’ firms – BetFred, Coral, Ladbrokes, William Hill and Paddy Power – to explore what can and should be done. It is the first time the industry has met with councils to discuss the issues faced by communities and will meet for the second time in June –
http://www.local.gov.uk/media-releases/-/journal_content/56/10180/6066526/NEWS
2. A YouGov survey published last week found that 62 per cent people think there should be tighter restrictions for the gambling industry – http://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/04/23/gambling-industry-needs-tighter-regulation/
3. Research released by Deloitte last month into the future of high streets found 52 per cent of people wanted to see fewer betting shops on their high street.