Gambling on the future of our high streets

摘要

My years as a cabinet member and ward councillor in Green Lanes in Haringey, north London, have convinced me that local authorities need new powers or changes in law to empower them to stem the clustering of betting shops on high streets. These are necessary to save the vitality of shopping centres, and curb the crime and anti-social behaviour that betting shops can bring. Existing powers are not enough. Haringey has 65 betting shops, many of those in Green Lanes, giving it one of the highest concentrations in the country.