The Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider an application from Power Leisure Bookmakers Limited, trading as Paddy Power, for a variation to their betting premises licence at 76 Ballards Lane in Finchley. The application was for approval of alterations to the layout of the premises. After hearing from the applicant and considering written representations from local residents, the Sub-Committee resolved to grant the application with mandatory conditions.

Paddy Power, 76 Ballards Lane - Licence Variation Application

The Sub-Committee considered the application for a variation to a betting premises licence, submitted by Knights on behalf of Paddy Power, for their branch at 76 Ballards Lane. The application sought approval for alterations to the layout of the premises and adoption of revised premises licence plans.

Decision: The Sub-Committee voted to grant the application for a variation to the premises licence.

The application had received objections from two local residents, with concerns raised about the potential impact of the refurbishment on young and vulnerable people. Councillor Kath McGuirk had also raised a query about the plans.

In response to these concerns, the legal representative for the applicant, Knights, stated that the premises had been operating for nearly 20 years and the proposed refurbishment, representing a £500,000 investment, would not change the size of the premises. They added that the plans comply with regulations, and the main change would be to move the counter to encourage staff to be more involved on the shop floor, creating a more interactive environment.

The Sub-Committee questioned the applicant's representatives on how the young and vulnerable would be safeguarded. The representatives stated that Paddy Power has policies in place, including Challenger 25 ¹ and that these standards are maintained through rigorous testing. They argued that the new format would improve safeguards, as staff would be more visible and involved, preventing under-18s and vulnerable individuals from entering the premises. The legal representative emphasised that the changes were not intended to encourage young people to gamble, and there was no evidence to suggest that the new layout would promote underage gambling.

The Sub-Committee, in reaching its decision, considered the Gambling Act 2005, associated guidance issued by the Gambling Commission, and the council's Statement of Principles 2024-2027. They noted the applicant's measures to prevent children and vulnerable people from entering the premises and challenging those who appeared to be underage.

The Sub-Committee also imposed mandatory conditions on the licence, including:

• Displaying a notice stating that no person under the age of 18 is permitted to enter the premises.
• Ensuring access to the premises is from a street or another licensed betting premises, with no direct access to retail spaces.
• Restricting the use of the premises to providing facilities for betting only.
• Locating any ATM on the premises in a way that requires customers to cease gambling to use it.
• Limiting the use of apparatus for sounds or visual images to communicating information about sporting events and betting.
• Restricting the sale of publications to racing periodicals or specialist betting publications.
• Prohibiting music, dancing, or other entertainment, except as related to sporting events and betting information.
• Banning the sale or consumption of alcohol on the premises at any time when gambling facilities are being provided.
• Displaying a notice setting out the terms on which people are invited to bet on the premises.
• Ensuring that no facilities for gambling are provided between 10pm and 7am.