Council Wins Appeal Against 24-Hour Gambling Venue

Original decision to block opening near Hanwell Clock Tower upheld

Local residents protesting against the gaming arcade near the Clock Tower

August 5, 2026

Ealing Council has successfully defended its refusal of plans for a 24-hour gambling venue in the centre of Hanwell, after an independent planning inspector dismissed the developer’s appeal and upheld the council’s original decision. The ruling, issued on 28 July, marks the end of a long-running dispute over the future of a prominent site beside the Hanwell Clock Tower.

Pure Gaming Limited had sought permission to convert the vacant ground-floor unit at 153–155 Uxbridge Road into a round-the-clock bingo hall featuring adult-only gaming machines. Although described as a bingo venue, the plans indicated a business model centred on slot machines, with entry restricted to customers aged 18 and over. The proposal immediately drew strong public opposition, with nearly 2,000 residents objecting and only a handful expressing support.

The council rejected the application last year, citing concerns about the impact on Hanwell’s town centre, the wellbeing of nearby residents and the character of the surrounding area. Pure Gaming appealed to the national Planning Inspectorate, arguing that the refusal was unjustified and that the scheme complied with planning and licensing regulations. Campaigners feared the appeal could overturn the council’s decision, prompting rallies and public meetings near the Clock Tower.

In the inspectorate’s decision, the inspector found that Pure Gaming had failed to demonstrate that the venue would offer the kind of welcoming, positive presence expected in a prominent town centre location. The proposed frontage, directly beside one of Hanwell’s most recognisable landmarks, was judged unlikely to contribute to the vibrancy or character of the area. The inspector also noted that the premises sit directly beneath residential homes, yet the applicant had not provided any assessment of how noise from a 24-hour operation would be mitigated.

The decision highlighted concerns about customers arriving, leaving or gathering outside during the night and early morning, when background noise levels are typically lower. Police evidence about existing crime and antisocial behaviour in the immediate vicinity was also taken into account, with the inspector concluding that the venue could exacerbate these issues. While acknowledging that the scheme would have brought an empty unit back into use and created 14 jobs, the inspector ruled that the potential harm to the town centre and to residents outweighed those benefits.

Councillor Monica Hamidi, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for good growth, welcomed the decision. “This is an important decision for Hanwell and for residents who raised concerns about the impact of a 24-hour gambling venue in this location. We want our town centres to be lively, welcoming and successful, but new business proposals must also protect people’s quality of life and contribute positively to the local area. The inspector’s decision supports the council’s view that this proposal did not meet that test,” she said.

The ruling brings closure to a campaign that has galvanised Hanwell residents for more than a year. In late 2025, councillors and community groups warned that the appeal posed a “huge threat” to the area, urging residents to rally at the Clock Tower and demonstrate their opposition. Concerns centred on the proximity to three local schools, the risk of normalising gambling for young people and the potential for increased harm to vulnerable individuals.

The decision is likely to be seen as a significant victory for residents who argued that Hanwell’s civic identity and community wellbeing should take precedence over a high-intensity gambling operation.