The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barnet Council met on Thursday 19 February 2026 to consider an application for an Adult Gaming Centre Premises Licence. The application for Future Leisure Limited at 17 Varley Parade, The Hyde, London, NW9 6RR was granted, with a range of mandatory and agreed conditions imposed.

Adult Gaming Centre Licence for Future Leisure Limited

The Sub-Committee granted the application for a new Adult Gaming Centre Premises Licence for Future Leisure Limited at 17 Varley Parade, The Hyde, London, NW9 6RR. This decision was made after careful consideration of all relevant information, including written and oral representations from all parties, the Gambling Act 2005, guidance from the Gambling Commission, and the Council's Statement of Principles 2024-2027.

Representations were received from Barnet Council's Public Health Directorate, who objected to the application on the grounds that granting it would contravene the licensing objectives, specifically concerning the protection of children and vulnerable persons from harm and the prevention of crime and disorder. Public Health raised concerns about the potential increase in gambling-related harm in the Colindale South area, citing its mixed vulnerabilities, high population density, and the intensity of gambling activity associated with Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs). They highlighted that AGCs rely on electronic gaming machines (EGMs), which are considered a higher-risk form of gambling, and noted the concentration of gambling premises in the vicinity. Public Health also pointed to existing gambling-related harm within Barnet, including the number of residents and children affected, and the fiscal cost to public services.

The applicant, Future Leisure Limited, represented by Woods Whur, provided a Local Area Risk Assessment and supplementary documents to address Public Health's concerns. They emphasised that the premises previously housed a betting shop, William Hill, which operated without significant issues. The applicant stressed that AGCs only contain machines for over 18s and do not permit alcohol consumption on the premises. They also highlighted their experience as an established family business with 15 AGCs, with no prior regulatory issues.

The Police raised no objections to the application, having agreed a set of conditions with the applicant. These conditions, along with mandatory conditions stipulated by the Gambling Act 2005, were imposed on the licence.

The Sub-Committee noted the concerns raised by Public Health regarding gambling-related harm and the density of gambling establishments. However, they were bound by the legal framework of the Gambling Act 2005, which requires them to permit gambling where it is consistent with the pursuit of licensing objectives, rather than to prevent it altogether. The Sub-Committee concluded that the applicant's proposed mitigation measures and the agreed conditions would be sufficient to support the licensing objectives and would not adversely affect the Gambling Commission's Guidance or the Council's Statement of Gambling Policy.

The granted licence includes the following conditions:

• Mandatory Conditions:

  • A notice must be displayed at all entrances stating that no person under 18 will be admitted.
  • No direct access between the AGC and other licensed premises (e.g., Family Entertainment Centres, club gaming premises, or alcohol-licensed premises).
  • Any ATM must be located such that a customer must cease gambling at a machine to use it.
  • Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the premises while gambling facilities are provided, with a notice to this effect displayed prominently.

• Conditions Agreed with the Police:

  • CCTV installed to Home Office Guidance standards, maintained, and recordings kept for 31 days, available to police and licensing officers. Footage must be of sufficient quality for identification.
  • CCTV cameras to cover all entry/exit points for frontal identification, public access areas (excluding toilets), and gaming machines.
  • A Think 25 proof of age scheme to be operated, accepting recognised photographic identification.
  • Prominent signage advertising the Think 25 policy.
  • A magnetic locking device (Maglock) installed and maintained on the main entrance/exit, operable by ground floor staff.
  • A suitable intruder alarm with a panic button facility to be maintained.
  • An incident log to be maintained, recording crimes, complaints, disorder incidents, refusals, banned customers, CCTV faults, visits by authorities, and Challenge 25 refusals.
  • After 16:00, no rostered single manning is permitted; there must always be a minimum of two staff members (which can include an SIA qualified security guard).
  • Between 22:00 and 06:00, the Maglock will always be operational, requiring customers to buzz to be let in by staff on duty.
  • Risk assessments to be carried out to determine the need for SIA door staff, with the assessment available for inspection by responsible authorities.

The Sub-Committee noted that the applicant is an experienced licensee with a good compliance record. The decision to grant the licence was made on 19 February 2026, and any aggrieved party has the right to appeal to the Magistrates' Court within 21 days of receiving notification of the decision.