A planning application for a 24 hour gambling centre in the heart of Hanwell that was rejected by Ealing Council in August 2025 is now going to appeal to the Secretary of State.
The proposal, submitted by Pure Gaming Limited for 153 to 155 Uxbridge Road near the Hanwell Clock Tower, had already drawn significant public concern before the council turned it down. News of the appeal has revived local opposition and prompted fresh calls for community action.
Ealing Council refused the application on 29 August 2025 following a detailed planning report that raised concerns about the impact a round the clock gambling venue could have on the character of Hanwell’s town centre.
Officers concluded that the proposal risked creating an over concentration of gambling premises in the area and warned that a late night venue could lead to increased noise, disturbance and anti social behaviour. The council said this would harm both the vitality and viability of the high street.
The building at the centre of the proposal is the former Barclays Bank, more recently used as a Domino’s Pizza, next to the Clock Tower. Pure Gaming Limited said the venue would operate around the clock as part of its standard business model.
The original application triggered a major community response. Nearly 2,000 submissions were made during the consultation period, with 1,971 objections, only five in support and two listed as neutral.
Campaigners said the figures demonstrated overwhelming local opposition. Many residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour, the risk to vulnerable people and the potential for late night disruption.
Pure Gaming Limited had noted in its planning documents that it had previously overturned refusals at appeal in other parts of London. Confirmation of its appeal has drawn an immediate response from councillors and campaigners.
Hanwell Broadway Councillor Polly Knewstub confirmed the appeal in a posting on Facebook and urged residents to mobilise once again.
Councillor Knewstub said: “We have just learned that the decision to reject the 24 hour Slots Casino at the Clocktower has been appealed. This is a huge threat to our community and we must fight this again. Join us this Friday (28 November 2025) at 6 PM at the Hanwell Clocktower for the Christmas Tree Lighting. Let us turn it into a massive rally. Bring your friends, family and neighbours. Show that Hanwell says no to a 24 hour casino.”
She added that residents would soon receive more information on how to object formally to the appeal and on what legal options might be available.
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.
 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.){kind=link}