Gaming centre not what Earl’s Court needs, say impassioned opponents

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

Hundreds of objections have been filed in a bid to prevent a former West London bank being turned into a 24/7 ‘mega gaming venue’.

Kensington and Chelsea council’s planning portal shows pages of submissions against Silvertime Amusements’ application for the vacant Earl’s Court Road site, with a separate petition also receiving more than 750 signatures.

A resident and co-chair of a local group said the proposal would undermine “our community’s goals and aspirations to improve and enhance our high street”.

All three Earl’s Court ward councillors have also aired concerns about the scheme. Cllr Linda Wade, one of the trio, said another gaming venue would be ‘the wrong business, in the wrong place’.

Silvertime Amusements’ agent, Woods Whur, was approached for comment, though did not respond.

Under the proposal, Silvertime is looking to turn the former Lloyds, which has sat empty since November 2022, into a new ‘adult gaming centre’. Just over the road from Earl’s Court Underground Station, it is only a few doors down from an existing Silvertime casino, which would be moved into the new site if the submission is approved.

In an application document, Woods Whur wrote: “The owners are hands-on operators and regularly visit each premises and communicate directly with neighbours. All of the applicant’s AGCs (Adult Gaming Centres) are staffed by a team of experienced and trained employees.”

Woods Whur further claimed the centre would increase local footfall with no unacceptable impact on residents. “This proposal will enhance the vitality, viability and commercial character of this part of Earl’s Court town centre.”

Among the listed objections received is one from the Earl’s Court Square Residents’ Association, stating: “This new application, would place a 24-hour gambling site diagonally across from the station entrance and would be against what residents and the council have been trying to do i.e. improve the area to make Earl’s Court Road a place that people and their families would feel safe.

“This is a residential area containing families with young children including tourists with families on their way to and from their hotels.”

Two Saturdays ago, a stall was organised on Earl’s Court Road raising awareness of the proposal, with a paper petition available which people could sign. A further demonstration is planned on September 11, at 6pm.

Earl’s Court ward councillors Hamish Adourian (Con), Tim Verboven and Linda Wade (both Lib Dem) are all against the scheme. Cllr Wade said: “Earl’s Court residents feel that Earl’s Court Road is in decline and a poor cousin to other high streets in Kensington and Chelsea.

“Our high street is still recovering from the loss of the Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre and for Silvertime to expand, would put at risk the improvements and initiatives designed to support change and a create a new identity so that the high street can respond and benefit from the financial uplift from the Earls Court 42-acre site development.

“It’s the wrong business, in the wrong place.”

Andrea Level, a resident and co-chair of the Earl’s Court planning and conservation group, said: “Introducing a mega gaming venue completely undermines our community’s goals and aspirations to improve and enhance our high street. Earl’s Court residents and businesses do not need or want any more gaming outlets. We need businesses that serve the community and contribute toward its vibrancy.”

The council’s public consultation on the application is to run until September 23, with a target date for a decision listed as October 14.

Pictured top (from left to right): Resident Maxine del Torrents, Cllr Linda Wade, Cllr Tim Verboven (Picture: Linda Wade)