The Licensing Sub-Committee of Hammersmith and Fulham Council met on Tuesday 21 July 2026 to consider an application for an Adult Gaming Centre licence. The meeting's agenda focused solely on a single planning application for premises at 68 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush, W12 8LP. Information available for the meeting included the report pack detailing the application and representations made against it.

Application for an Adult Gaming Centre Licence at 68 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush, W12 8LP

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for an Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) licence at 68 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush, W12 8LP, submitted by Future Leisure Limited. The report pack indicated that the applicant sought to offer an unlimited number of category C and D gaming machines, with up to 20% of the total machines being category B3 or B4.

The application had attracted a significant number of objections. These included representations from the Licensing Authority itself, the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team, local Members of Parliament Andy Slaughter MP and Rupa Huq MP, local councillors Mercy Umeh and Zarar Qayyum, and the Caxton Village Tenants and Residents Association (CVTRA), supported by numerous local residents.

The objections raised by the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police, and local residents and representatives centred on several key concerns:

• Cumulative Impact and Overconcentration: The proposed premises is located within the Shepherd's Bush Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) and a Gambling Vulnerability Zone. The Council's Statement of Gambling Policy 2025-2028 designates these areas due to a clustering of gambling premises, high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB), and deprivation. Objectors argued that granting a new AGC would exacerbate these existing issues and undermine the licensing objectives. The Council's policy includes a presumption to refuse new applications for AGCs in such areas unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.
• Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour: Concerns were raised about the existing high levels of crime and ASB in the Shepherd's Bush Green area, including drug dealing, street drinking, loitering, and violence. Objectors argued that an additional gambling venue would likely worsen these problems and place further strain on policing resources. The Metropolitan Police provided detailed crime data and witness statements highlighting persistent issues around existing gambling premises in the vicinity.
• Protection of Children and Vulnerable Persons: The proximity of the proposed site to schools, transport hubs, and areas frequented by vulnerable individuals was highlighted as a significant concern. Objectors argued that the increased footfall and the nature of an AGC could lead to greater exposure of children and vulnerable people to gambling, potentially increasing the risk of harm and exploitation. The applicant's Local Area Risk Assessment (LARA) was criticised for not adequately demonstrating how these specific local risks would be mitigated beyond standard industry controls.
• Planning and Amenity Concerns: Representations from the Council's planning department indicated that a change of use to an AGC would constitute a 'sui generis' use, requiring planning permission, and would likely not be supported within a designated Primary Shopping Frontage. Concerns were also raised about the potential negative impact on the streetscape and pedestrian experience due to the typical design of AGC frontages.
• Relocation vs. New Premises: The applicant, Future Leisure Limited, highlighted that this application was for the relocation of an existing AGC from 102 King Street, W6 0QW, rather than the establishment of a new one. They submitted that they were an experienced operator with a good track record and that their proposed operational controls, detailed in an extensive LARA, were sufficient to promote the licensing objectives. They also referred to a recent court decision in their favour regarding an extension of hours for another AGC in Haringey.

The report pack also included supplementary agendas containing additional information from the applicant, including an applicant's case summary, their LARA, a crime analysis report, and details of a previous appeal decision. Supplementary Agenda B included further information from the Police, including crime data comparisons and witness statements detailing issues at nearby gambling premises. Supplementary Agenda C contained a representation from the Licensing Authority itself, reiterating concerns about cumulative impact and vulnerability.

The meeting was scheduled to consider these documents and representations to determine the application for the Adult Gaming Centre licence.