Plans have been put forward to introduce two new casinos just minutes away from each other.
The former Shoezone shop on High Street, Harlesden, could be transformed into an adult gambling centre if plans submitted to Brent Council on May 15 are approved.
Merkur Casino, which formerly used the name Praesepe as a subsidiary of the family-run Gauselmann Group in Germany, owns more than 700 venues across Europe.
It has submitted plans to run the 24-hour venue, and according to a noise assessment document the nearest homes are on the first-floor directly above it.
The document stated: “Surveys at many existing Merkur venues across the UK have been undertaken during the night-time and it was observed that patrons were nearly always arriving and leaving on foot and never congregated outside or near the venue.
“Patrons arriving by car is an extremely rare event (only 1 instance of 50+ surveys) and as such no noise impacts from vehicles has ever been recorded.”
Campaigners have been fighting plans to introduce more adult gaming centres in Harlesden over recent years.
Silvertime Amusements submitted plans last year to change a derelict William Hill betting shop, which has been vacant for nearly four years, into a casino.
While Brent Council turned down the bid in October, another application was put forward on May 15.
In the planning, design and access statement, Silvertime’s agent Roger Etchells & Co wrote: “Premises such as this are no noisier than a shop and less so than a betting office. They would be suitable neighbours in this location.
“The applicant operates two other similar establishments in the centre at 53 High Street and 10 Bank Buildings. It has been running such premises in Harlesden since the1980s.”
Brent Council would like to hear from anyone who lives close the site, and is likely to be affected by its activities, or anyone who has business interests that might be affected by the casino.
Any representations for the Silvertime casino must be made by June 8, and for June 10 for the Merkur casino.
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