‘Bingo hall’ licence should be revoked

I WAS recently an objector at a meeting of the licensing subcommittee on November 9 for an application by Cashino Gaming Ltd, also known as Merker Slots.

They are selling to us the safe approach of the word ‘bingo’, but in reality there will be about 20 bingo machines.

There will also be about 50 slot machines. These machines have multiple games on each one. Therefore this is not a ‘bingo hall’, but a slot machine premises. Through their agent Philip Kolvin QC, the sub-committee and the objectors were told that none of their premises have had any serious problems relating to crime.

I quote Mr Kolvin QC as saying: “The reasons my client’s venues are not on ‘police radars’ is because they do not generate crime and disorder.”

But due to a great peice of diligent reporting by Newbury Weekly News reporter John Garvey on November 19 it has come to light that there have been serious and violent crimes committed across the country on their premises, resulting in heavy sentencing from two-and-ahalf years up to eight years.

These crimes caused injury and mental distress to their employees.

I would like to see an inquiry into how these crimes were not discovered by senior council officers and councillors before a licence was granted for 11-13 Market Place, Newbury.

It must be possible for this licence and planning permission to be revoked due to the severity of these crimes committed on their premises. I would like to thank councillor Martha Vickers for her help and patience.

The people of Newbury deserve to be better served by their senior council officers and councillors.

ALFIE GRANT

Newbury