Betting shops are “blighting” high streets

 BETTING shops in the UK are “blighting” its high streets across the nation. That’s the general view from the Portas Review, which is a recommendation set out by the retail expert Mary Portas. She said that thousands of people are complaining about betting shops taking over. However, in response, MP David Lammy said to the Haringey Independent: “I am seriously disappointed with the government’s response to the Portas Review.

 “It is clear from the review and from what thousands of people are saying across the country that betting shops are taking over their local high streets. “The Government have completely ignored their concerns and have squandered the opportunity to change the law to give local people the power to say ‘no’ to more betting shops.”

 Mary thinks that this problem is more hard-hitting in poorer, low-income areas where people could be tempted and unable to handle a possible addiction.

 Betting shops are grouped in the same planning category as banks, estate agents and other financial services, which Ms Portas considers to be “odd” and “inappropriate.” Councillor Nilgun Canver (Lab, St Ann’s) is also on a mission to get the planning laws change to stop so many betting shops from springing up in the borough.

 Cllr Canver, who is also the cabinet member for environment, said: “I’m determined to ensure residents have greater control over what their local neighbourhoods look like, whether around the spread of fast food chains, money lenders or betting shops.

 “The clustering of betting shops in some parts of Haringey has simply gone too far and the Government needs to change legislation to give communities the power to use planning and licensing laws to prevent them spreading further.

 “Betting shops intentionally target some of the most deprived parts of our community and it’s about time the Government empowered councils and residents to work together to stop the proliferation of betting shops that blight so many of our high streets.”