JUBILANT residents and traders were celebrating on Thursday after magistrates threw out an application for a bookies on their high street – and they have vowed to continue to fight any future applications.
Betting giant Ladbrokes had hoped to turn the prime site in Hampstead High Street, opposite Hampstead Tube station, into a 2,000-square-feet betting shop with fruit machines and a seated area for customers.
But their application for a gaming licence from Highbury Corner Magistrates Court was thrown out by magistrates who said that the company had not shown there was sufficient demand.
The two-day hearing heard evidence from a number of interested parties – including three local punters found by a private eye who gave evidence for Ladbrokes.
They told the court that the only other betting shop in the area – a William Hill shop also on the high street – was outdated and congested and offered little choice for punters.
But a solicitor for William Hill said that its betting shop, which was embarking on a major refurbishment programme, adequately served the needs of residents.
Objectors Nicholas Mikniche, a cosmetic dentist based above the proposed shop, and Deborah Laing, who has children at Hampstead Parochial School, said that the application had been rushed through and was not in the best interests of the community.
But magistrates said that Ladbrokes had met their statutory requirements to inform residents of the application and also dismissed claims that granting a licence would increase anti-social behaviour.
They said: “The area has been served by the William Hill shop for the past 20 years. There is simply insufficient actual or latent demand for an additional betting shop in this locality.”
Mr Mikniche said that he was delighted with the verdict and warned that the company would have a battle on its hands if it decided to appeal.
He said: “I am very pleased and rather shocked – I thought we had the odds stacked up against us.
“If this had gone through, we could have had amusement arcades up and down the street and the next thing you know, there goes Hampstead.
“I think they’ll have a real battle on their hands if they appeal because we now have more time to get organised.
“We’ll get a huge number of people involved next time.”
Ladbrokes have 21 days to appeal the decision but are keeping tight lipped, with a spokesman declining to comment on the company’s plans.