Key Moments:
- The council unanimously voted against Admiral Casino’s bid for around-the-clock operations on Earl’s Court Road.
- Local residents and organizations opposed the change, expressing concerns over increased noise and impact on the neighborhood’s character.
- Luxury Leisure, owner of Admiral Casino, retains the option to appeal the council’s decision.
Community Response Leads to Council Rejection
The Kensington and Chelsea Council has ruled against Admiral Casino’s proposal to offer 24-hour gambling at its Earl’s Court Road location, a decision driven by outspoken public opposition and apprehension over potential disruptions to the local environment.
Council’s Unanimous Decision and Rationale
Officials reached a unanimous verdict to deny changes to the casino’s opening hours, maintaining the existing schedule and preventing an expansion to all-night operations. Concerns about resident well-being, noise, and the risks associated with late-night gambling venues informed the council’s position.
Planning chair Councillor Sam Mackover stated during the October 22 session: “It’s not just the activity itself, the area is particularly vulnerable to this sort of impact.”
Earl’s Court Councillor Tim Verboven abstained, citing his public opposition to the proposal. The application aimed to remove a condition restricting the casino’s operating hours, which Admiral Casino argued had no technical basis.
Public Opposition and Community Input
Area residents and organizations mobilized against the proposed changes, warning that prolonged hours could undermine the neighborhood’s atmosphere and escalate noise concerns during the night.
Earl’s Court Society chair Francesco Zibellini said: “Earl’s Court shops and homes are in very close proximity and its residents do not want any increase in noise, disturbance or degradation. Not even by a tiny bit because it’s with all these tiny bits that an area slowly changes, and in 10 years it will look like a mini Las Vegas.”
Councillor Linda Wade urged the council to act on behalf of the community: “The mission of the council is to act and protect its residents. Your decision-making should clearly demonstrate that you’ve listened to residents. This is a time when the council should say no.”
Casino’s Position and Supporting Evidence
Luxury Leisure, Admiral Casino’s parent company, presented a noise assessment indicating the expansion would not cause “any discernible loss” of residential amenity. According to their agent, neither police nor the council’s environmental health officials objected to the application.
“This Section 73 application does not focus on the principle of Adult Gaming Centre use at the site. This was established over two years ago,” the representative said. “It focuses on the 24-hour operation of the site, which we had demonstrated is fully policy-compliant through the unchallenged, technical evidence presented.”
Jerry Wilcox, regional manager for Luxury Leisure, noted that customer preferences drive demand for late-night access, particularly among shift workers at other comparable venues.
Regulatory Context and Crime Data
The Earl’s Court neighborhood is currently monitored by a Public Space Protection Order targeting antisocial behavior. Metropolitan Police records indicate that over the past year, antisocial incidents comprised 30% of local crime reports, with 711 instances. Violence and sexual offenses followed at 471 cases, corresponding to 20% of all reports.
| Crime Type | Number of Cases | Percentage of Total Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Antisocial Behavior | 711 | 30% |
| Violence & Sexual Offenses | 471 | 20% |
Outlook
Luxury Leisure retains the right to appeal the council’s decision regarding Admiral Casino’s operating hours.
- Author
Daniel Williams
