|
|
 |
| |
‘HANDS OFF NAG’S HEAD’
Cops and school heads say ‘No’ to super arcade plan
POLICE and headteachers joined a growing campaign this week against plans to turn the former Nag’s Head pub at Holloway into a ‘super arcade’.
They called on Islington Council to refuse the application for 50 gaming machines for the old pub in Holloway Road, junction with Seven Sisters Road, on the grounds that it will encourage anti-social behaviour.
Protesters fear that a new gaming arcade will bring in more illegal street traders, just as police and the Lib Dem council, were finally managing to remove them from where they regularly annoy shoppers outside the Nag’s Head shopping centre.
Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn and councillors from all parties are opposing the arcade.
Police sergeant Stuart Simpson, who heads the Nag’s Head Unit team, said there is a concern that the new arcade may encourage illegal cigarette sellers.
He said: “Cigarette sellers gamble but at the moment they leave the area to do it. If this venue was to be given a licence then it might encourage them to stay around longer.
“There is also the problem of prolonged anti-social behaviour. It’s no secret the Nag’s Head has been a venue for the sale of illegal goods.”
Headteacher Nitsa Sergides from nearby Grafton Primary School said that there was already one amusement arcade in the vicinity. She said: “I do not believe that the opening of another centre will bring anything positive to the area.
“I would also be concerned about the clientele that would be attracted to such a venue, and the possibility of this leading to increased crime and anti social behaviour.”
The application from Leisure World (UK) Ltd is due to be heard at a meeting of the Islington Licensing committee meeting, which is open to the public, at Islington Town Hall next Tuesday March 6 at 2.30pm.
The committee, chaired by Lib dem Cllr Fiona Dunlop, will be minded that a recent Appeal Court found in favour of Liverpool council which opposed a similar arcade centre. The Lords found that in exercising its discretion Liverpool was entitled to consider the weight of public opposition – provided objections were not based on misunderstandings or gut reactions.
Jeremy Corbyn MP said that he had received a petition against the arcade. He said: “ Too many residents in the Nag’s head area have little spare cash, and there could be serious social consequences, especially for young people.”
A member of the Nag’s Head Town Centre management said that such a large scale gambling establishment would be a “retrograde” step in the efforts by businesses and the council to improve the environment.
Leisure World (UK) were unavailable for comment.
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
