Ealing Council last Friday (29 August 2025) threw out a controversial planning application to turn a former Barclays Bank into a 24-hour gambling venue in Hanwell, a decision hailed by campaigners as a community victory. But locals fear the battle is not over, as the applicant could appeal – noting in its submission that it has previously overturned rejections in other cases.
The refusal came a day after residents and local politicians held a second protest at Hanwell Clock Tower, following an earlier rally in July. The campaign has helped mobilise nearly 2,000 responses to the consultation — with 1,971 objections, only five in support and two neutral submissions.
The application, submitted by Pure Gaming Limited, sought permission to convert the former Barclays Bank at 153–155 Uxbridge Road into what was described as a “bingo premises”, but which opponents argued was in reality a 24/7 slot-machine arcade.
Pure Gaming Limited, incorporated in 2016 and registered with the Gambling Commission, trades under the names Red9Nine and Casino Slots. It already operates sites in Denmark Hill, south London, and Chatham, Kent. Its application sought permission to run the Hanwell premises 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In its decision notice, Ealing Council said:
“The proposed change of use to a bingo premises with gaming machines would remove an active food and beverage use that contributes to the vibrancy of the Metropolitan Centre, replacing it with a use that fails to support footfall or linked trips during the day.”
“By virtue of its late-night operation, comings-and-goings, would cause unacceptable noise and disturbance and has the potential to exacerbate existing alcohol and drug-related disorder in the locality, the proposed use would cause unacceptable harm to residential amenity and the local environment.”
“The proposed use, when considered alongside the existing gambling establishments in the vicinity (including Ladbrokes and William Hill), would lead to an over-concentration of gambling uses. This would diminish retail diversity, undermine the vitality of the centre, fails to deliver tangible community, cultural, or social benefits which experiences existing anti-social behaviour problems.”
Despite the rejection, locals say they expect Pure Gaming Limited to appeal the decision and campaigners have pledged to continue their efforts. A mailing list has been set up for residents who want to follow the campaign: http://eepurl.com/jma29U
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, Ealing and Hillingdon London Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz, said: “The applicants took a gamble, but they didn’t bet on the response from Hanwell. Our community came together with one strong voice to oppose this wholly inappropriate 24/7 casino.”
Mr Mahfouz added: “This was the wrong place for such a venue, risking real harm to vulnerable residents and young people. This refusal is a huge win for Hanwell, and I want to thank every resident who stood up and especially Councillors Polly Knewstub and Yoel Gordon for their tireless work.”
Ealing Southall MP Deirdre Costigan, who joined last Thursday’s protest, also welcomed the decision, posting on X: “This is a great result which protects the character of the high street & reduces gambling harms. Well done to Hanwell Cllrs & all the local people who made their voices heard.”
Monica Hamidi, Labour councillor for Hanwell Broadway, also posted on X: “Hanwell, we’ve done it. This is what community power means. We sent a loud and clear message and the planning application for a 24/7 slot casino has been REFUSED.”
Other councillors and community figures spoke out against the scheme. Thursday’s protest was attended by Ms Costigan alongside fellow Labour councillors Polly Knewstub (Hanwell Broadway) and Louise Brett (North Hanwell), as well as the Green Party’s Clare Welsby. Representatives from Ealing Foodbank and other groups also backed the demonstration.
Councillor Gary Malcolm, leader of Ealing Liberal Democrats, previously told EALING.NEWS of his concerns: “As a Liberal Democrat and listening to what people think it would seem that most people do not wish to see a gambling venue. I also understand that Ealing’s Development Management Plan DPD contains a planning policy 4C.1 saying that amusement arcades should not be located within 400 metre radius (10 minutes walk) of a school.”
He added: “It seems there are three schools within that radius (one being a school dedicated for SEN children) so more reasons for Ealing Council to turn it down which I hope they do. I have written to the council’s planning team to indicate that.”
Neil Reynolds, chair of Ealing Green Party, also told EALING.NEWS: “Residents are understandably objecting to the development, a 24 hour casino will worsen problem gambling in the area, often at the expense of already vulnerable people.”
Campaigners argued that a 24/7 gambling venue would damage the character of the area, harm the high street and fuel anti-social behaviour.
One resident objecting to the application posted on the planning application portal: “This proposal is not in keeping with the needs and wants of a very family-focused community, notably with so many schools in the vicinity. The area is already marred by antisocial behaviour. We should be encouraging family-friendly establishments that uplift the whole community.”
Another said: “The area in Hanwell is already suffering from drug users and drinkers who congregate around the clock tower. This kind of establishment would only make it worse. There are many small businesses nearby that support families — placing a gambling venue in the middle of that is completely irresponsible.”
Others warned the scheme would undermine efforts to improve Hanwell with one local adding: “It will degrade the area, increase antisocial behaviour, and gambling is proven to cause financial hardship and family problems.”
The row has echoes of 2007, when Ealing Council refused plans to convert a former bakery at 120 Uxbridge Road into an adult gaming centre. That site later became a coffee shop.
The latest proposal covered a property with a troubled recent history. After decades as a Barclays bank, it became a Domino’s Pizza. A plan to reopen it as the Grand Pasha restaurant collapsed earlier this year, and in April bailiffs issued a forfeiture notice ending the tenancy of Puree Gourmet Limited.
EALING.NEWS has contacted Brown & Co – the agents who submitted the application on behalf of Pure Gaming Limited – for comment.
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