Opponents determined to kill third Faircross Parade betting shop bid

Plans to open a betting shop in a shopping parade have resurfaced again despite opposition.

Bookmaking chain Paddy Power has submitted plans to the council to open a shop in Faircross Parade in Longbridge Road, Barking.

The firm applied last year but was rejected at the initial stage and following an appeal. There was a campaign by shopkeepers, residents and Longbridge ward councillor Rocky Gill against the bid.

People working and living in the area say there are already too many betting shops in the borough – 41 in total – and have revived their campaign.

Paul Nicholson, co-owner of hair salon Glitz ‘N’ Glamour, which sits next to the empty unit that Paddy Power wants to take over, said: “I have no problem with betting, and at the salon we sometimes put a pound or two on a horse for the Grand National, but you don’t need this many. We already have one in this street. Betting shops often increase anti-social behaviour and they also mean you have less variety of shops.”

Paul and other businesses recently launched a petition which they will hand over to the council.

As reported in the Post last week, business owners are also protesting against plans by Coral to open a shop at Barking Station.

Both proposals come as the council runs a public consultation on potential measures to tackle the number of bookmakers in the borough.

These include introducing a 400-metre exclusion zone around existing betting shops to prevent a high concentration of such premises in one area.

A Paddy Power spokesperson said: “At a time when many high streets are facing challenges from out-of-town shopping centres, our expanding retail presence adds much-needed vitality and footfall to localities around the country.”