Paddy Power wants to “steal everyone else’s business” after being granted a licence for its third Liverpool shop despite concerns around the impact on vulnerable people.
The Irish bookmaker’s parent company, Power Leisure Bookmakers Limited, has won its bid to open a location on Broadway, Norris Green, amid worries being raised about how a third betting shop in the area could impact residents. Representations had been made to Liverpool Council ’s licensing and gambling sub-committee by business owners and councillors objecting to the proposals, but Paddy Power officials have said they hope to run a “community led” operation.
Nindi Dhanjal, Paddy Power’s regional acquisition and licensing manager, told the three-member committee at Liverpool Town Hall that he had a “vested interest” in the safety of the customers who would use the shop as it would be “his neck on the line” to uphold policy and procedures. Explaining why the bookmaker was seeking to open in Norris Green Mr Dhanjal said: “There’s a good model there, we want some of it.”
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He added that the addition of a third betting shop in the area would encourage “good competition” and would “force everyone to up their game.” He said it “brings revenue to the area and a bit of craic is what we’re famous for.”
Gerald Gouriet KC, speaking on behalf of the business, said amid concerns around the safety of vulnerable people in the community, Paddy Power had “immeasurable policies that had been “scrutinised and vetted” regarding staff training and compliance. Mr Gouriet added that the bookmaker had “robust” procedures in place to deal with protection of vulnerable people.
Mr Dhanjal added that staff would be expected to ask customers for a source of income if they appeared to be gambling beyond their means and they could be excluded on safer gambling measures. He said that for some people, visiting the bookies is their “only social interaction” and it would be community led.
He added: “We are Paddy Power, we’re unique in our offering, customers like what we do.” It is expected the shop will open within the first three months of next year, with trading hours between 7am and 10pm.
Customers will be able to access seven self-service betting terminals, as well as four fixed odds betting terminals. Bingo screens and live TV will be shown in store with coverage of sporting events.
Regarding the presence of other gambling sites on Broadway, Mr Dhanjal said Paddy Power was seeking to “steal everyone else’s business, like Aldi going to attack Tesco.” Offering his objection, Cllr Matthew Smyth, who represents Clubmoor ward, said Broadway was at the heart of the Norris Green community and had concerns that an additional betting shop would lead to the “deterioration” of the area’s retail offer.
He said: “I don’t think it adds to the community.” In granting the licence, Cllr Christine Banks said those opposed to the decision should do so through the courts within 21 days.
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