A planning application to turn a former bank in the heart of Hanwell into a 24-hour slot machine gambling venue has sparked concern among locals, who are calling on Ealing Council to reject the proposal.
The plans for 153–155 Uxbridge Road have triggered fierce opposition from residents, business owners and Hanwell Broadway councillors, who say the development would further damage the area’s character and fuel anti-social behaviour.
The site, located next to Hanwell’s landmark Clock Tower on the Broadway, was home to a Barclays Bank for decades before being taken over by Domino’s Pizza. More recently, it had been expected to become the Grand Pasha restaurant – but that plan came to a halt earlier this year.
On 14 April 2025, a Torts Notice was placed on the premises by bailiffs acting on behalf of the landlord, addressed to Puree Gourmet Limited, the previous occupier. Two weeks later, on 29 April 2025, a Forfeiture Notice was issued and displayed in the window, confirming that the landlord had taken back possession of the site.
Now, new planning documents submitted to Ealing Council propose a different future for the site : a change of use from hot food takeaway to bingo premise – a designation that opponents argue isn’t a traditional bingo venue but one that is a 24/7 adult gaming centre filled with electronic slot-style amusement machines.
A public rally opposing the proposal is set to take place on Wednesday (30 July 2025) at 6pm, by the Hanwell Clock Tower. Organised by local councillors and residents, it aims to highlight community concerns and raise awareness about the potential impact on the area if the gambling venue is allowed to operate.
Residents have until 6 August 2025 to comment on the proposals.
A yellow public notice displayed outside the venue describes the proposal as a “Bingo Hall”, but on the official planning application form submitted to the council, the description is listed as “Bingo Premise”. Concerned locals have said this will not be a traditional bingo hall, but rather a venue primarily offering slot-style gambling machines.
Computer-generated images included in the submission show the proposed venue branded as Red9Nine, a name already used by the applicant in other gambling ventures.
The application by Aman Singh Goraya, director of Pure Gaming Limited, has been met with vocal and growing opposition from Hanwell residents.
Mr Singh Goraya is listed as a director of multiple companies involved in the gambling industry, including Pure Gaming Limited — a firm incorporated in 2016 and registered with the Gambling Commission, trading under the names Red9Nine and Casino Slots. According to the Gambling Commission, Red9Nine currently operates a venue in Denmark Hill, Camberwell, while Casino Slots runs a site in Chatham, Kent.
In its latest unaudited abridged accounts submitted to Companies House, made up to 31 March 2024, Pure Gaming Limited reported employing 62 people – more than double the headcount from the previous year, when it employed 30.
The application also requests that the venue be allowed to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no period of closure – a proposal that has caused alarm among councillors and residents, who say round-the-clock gambling access will only heighten risks of crime, noise, addiction and social harm.
More than 1,100 objections have now been lodged on Ealing Council’s planning portal, with just three comments in support. Hanwell Broadway councillors are urging residents to formally object before a decision is made.
Councillor Polly Knewstub wrote on Facebook: “Please object to proposals to turn the old bank at Hanwell Broadway into a slots arcade – we don’t need this in our community. Looking at the proposal documents they have made a highly professional application – so obviously are confident they have planning law on their side – we need to make our voices heard!”
Posting on X, Councillor Yoel Gordon said: “No, No No to the slots arcade at Hanwell Clocktower. This is not wanted in our community.”
Councillor Gordon added: “Deadline now ends on 6th August but no need to wait until then!!”
Councillor Gary Malcolm, leader of Ealing Liberal Democrats told EALING.NEWS of his concerns: “As a Liberal Democrat and listening to what people think it would seem that most people do not wish to see a gambling venue. I also understand that Ealing’s Development Management Plan DPD contains a planning policy 4C.1 saying that amusement arcades should not be located within 400 metre radius (10 minutes walk) of a school.”
He added: “It seems there are three schools within that radius (one being a school dedicated for SEN children) so more reasons for Ealing Council to turn it down which I hope they do. I have written to the council’s planning team to indicate that.”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, Neil Reynolds, chair of Ealing Green Party, said: “Residents are understandably objecting to the development, a 24 hour casino will worsen problem gambling in the area, often at the expense of already vulnerable people. As the licencing authority Ealing Council should certainly reject it. The gambling industry has become ever more problematic ever since Blair’s Labour government deregulated it.”
Residents have echoed those concerns, warning that turning the site into a 24/7 gambling venue would bring no meaningful benefit to the high street. They argue it would put vulnerable people at risk and worsen existing issues with anti-social behaviour in the area.
One objector wrote: “This proposal is not in keeping with the needs and wants of a very family focused community notably with so many schools in the vicinity. The area is already marred with anti-social behaviour and this type of establishment would no doubt exacerbate the problem. We should be encouraging family friendly establishments which will uplift and benefit the whole community.”
Commenting on the plans, a local said: “The area in Hanwell is already suffering from drug users and drinkers who congregate around the clock tower area. This type of establishment would only encourage this type of anti social behaviour. The idea of a gambling facility is hardly suitable for the area. There are a number of small businesses in the area that encourage families to meet and to place a gambling facility in the middle of that is completely irresponsible.”
Another added: “The local authority is making attempts to improve the civic and social space in West Ealing and Hanwell in their plan. This development is not consistent with this plan. It will degrade the area and create conditions for antisocial behaviour by encouraging gambling, which is highly addictive for some people. The location is also close to residential properties, which is unsuitable for a gambling establishment, with 24 hour access. Gambling is proven to create financial hardship and family problems. This will add cost and pressure to local services, some of which are provided by the local authority and are currently under-resourced.”
A further objector commented: “I strongly object to this application on the basis that this area is already known to have a high incidence rate of antisocial behaviour (ASB). There is frequent drug usage in the alleyway between the proposed premises and the Clocktower Cafe, and contaminated litter associated with this, street drinking by the Clocktower itself, ASB and drug usage known to occur at the back of the Duke of York. Close to the area of this application is a ‘halfway house’ for people with addiction issues. Granting this licence would encourage gambling and more ASB and have a negative impact on the character of the area.”
EALING.NEWS reached out to Brown & Co – the agents who submitted the application on behalf of Pure Gaming Limited – for comment.
