24-hour licence granted for new ‘adult gaming centre’ on ‘coolest street’ in Kent

Approval was given despite neighbours’ concerns

A new “adult gaming centre” has been granted a licence to open 24 hours a day on a trendy Kent street – despite neighbours’ concerns. Cain’s Amusements already has another such premises just a few doors down in Cliftonville’s Northdown Road, dubbed by Time Out as one of the world’s “coolest streets”.

Now it has got the green light to operate round-the-clock at the former Mainsale bric-a-brac store. Approval was given despite concerns over the impact on a neighbouring charity shop – and existing anti-social behaviour issues along an alleyway that runs between the two units.

Quizzed by councillors at Thanet District Council’s (TDC) licensing subcommittee meeting on Tuesday (January 6), Cain’s operations manager, Bill Cain, said: “It would be a room of slot machines – there’s no alcohol involved. It does have the category of machine you see in pubs – category C – which have a £1 maximum stake.

“We operate £500 jackpot machines as well at £2 maximum stake but, unlike a pub, there’s no alcohol.” Cain’s also has a flagship arcade in Herne Bay, along with the Scoops ice cream parlours in Herne Bay and Tankerton, and arcades in Leysdown on Sheppey.

An “adult gaming centre” is essentially a premises with slot machines and other computerised gambling terminals, but no facility for other forms of betting – such as on sports or racing. Prior to the meeting, the owner of the neighbouring premises occupied by the Oasis domestic abuse charity’s shop – whose name is redacted in council documents – wrote in to TDC to object.

“As the immediate neighbouring property owner and landlord, I have clear business interests that may be adversely affected by the proposed 24-hour adult gaming centre next door,” she said. She cited the “potential impact on tenant wellbeing, leading to loss of rental income or early termination of tenancies; reputational and financial harm to the commercial tenant (Oasis) due to proximity to a 24-hour gambling premises; diminution of property value and future let ability.”

She also stressed that the alleyway between the buildings “has been subject to persistent antisocial behaviour, including littering, public drinking, and urination”. “These incidents have been reported to the council in the past and present ongoing safety concerns for residents and shop staff,” she added.

But at the meeting, consultant Debby Bollard told members that the objector had “not produced any evidence” that “the running of the arcade will in any way interfere with their business as the freehold owner of the premises”. A risk assessment report by gambling trade body Bacta highlighted higher than average levels of crime in Cliftonville.

But Ms Bollard stressed that Cain’s has a “good relationship” with the police. “My clients, when the premises are opened and ready, will be a discreet premises without loud, garish music or displays which ordinarily would be seen with a seafront sort of entertainment centre,” she said.

“This will be a discreet, covered area with a membership scheme where regulars will have a card entry system into the premises, very much as they do for their other premises on Northdown Road.” Ms Bollard also stressed that councillors’ ideas of whether or not there is demand for another gambling premises cannot factor into their decision on whether to grant the licence.

However, Mr Cain clarified that customers can simply walk in off the street and use the facilities, and that the decision whether to only allow card-carrying members is up to staff during “darkness hours”. “We are suiting all needs by being open 24 hours,” he added.

He also said that the alleyway will remain locked by key, and that a smoking area will be provided to the rear of the premises. While the subcommittee granted the licence after a short deliberation, a separate planning application for “change of use” has not yet been decided on.

It was reported last year that Mainsale was closing after 25 years in Northdown Road. It was much-loved by customers and well-known for its slogan: “If we haven’t got it, you don’t need it.”

Northdown Road was rated by Time Out as the world’s 31st coolest street last year, winning praise for its East London-esque “edgy feel” and “beautifully curated vintage shops”. The magazine also ranked it the world’s eighth coolest neighbourhood in 2022.