Local Liberal Democrat councillors are fighting against plans to allow late night gambling on Junction Road.   Agora Gaming want to open an arcade on the former site of Emily’s Home shop, even though there are already seven gambling premises in the area, until 11pm at night. Islington’s planning committee has previously turned down the application.   But Agora, which specialises in targeting deprived areas, has now appealed against the decision. Local Liberal Democrat councillors have objected to the move and asked at the planning appeal meeting today that the arcade not be allowed to open. 

Ursula Woolley, Liberal Democrat councillor for Junction ward, said “The last thing Archway needs is slot machines. We already have plenty of betting shops and arcades. We need useful shops and services in Archway.  That’s why the council turned down the application in the first place.” 

Stefan Kasprzyk, Liberal Democrat councillor for Junction ward, said “Local people don’t want this arcade and the Liberal Democrats are fighting to make sure that it doesn’t open.  “We want to see Archway brought back to life and see more shops open up. Once a site has changed its use to a gambling arcade there isn’t much chance that in the future it will change back to being a shop.  So we need to stop the arcade opening in the first place.”