Plans for a controversial 24-hour gambling venue in Hanwell have been rejected after a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State dismissed an appeal against Ealing Council’s refusal of planning permission.
Pure Gaming Limited had appealed after the council refused permission on 13 August 2025 to change the use of 153-155 Uxbridge Road into a bingo premises with gaming machines operating around the clock. The site was formerly a Barclays bank and more recently operated as a Domino’s Pizza.
The building has been the subject of several unsuccessful redevelopment plans in recent years. Plans to reopen it as the Grand Pasha restaurant collapsed in 2025, and in April that year bailiffs issued a forfeiture notice ending the tenancy of Puree Gourmet Limited.
In a decision issued on Tuesday (28 July 2026), planning inspector C Livingstone concluded the proposal should be refused, finding that “the benefits would not outweigh the significant harm I have identified”. The inspector said that harm related to Hanwell town centre and the living conditions of neighbouring residents.
The inspector said that while the proposal would bring an empty building back into use, it would do little to benefit Hanwell town centre. The inspector also said the planned 24-hour opening hours could lead to more noise and disturbance at night. The decision also noted Metropolitan Police concerns that the area already experiences high levels of anti-social behaviour, violence, theft and sexual offences.
However, the inspector rejected one of the council’s arguments, finding the proposal would not lead to an over-concentration of gambling premises in Hanwell town centre despite the presence of nearby betting shops.
C Livingstone wrote: “I have found that the proposal would not result in an over concentration of gambling uses. Notwithstanding this, the benefits described above would not outweigh the significant harm I have identified with regards to the vitality and viability of the area and the living conditions of neighbouring occupants.”
The inspector added: “The proposed development is contrary to the development plan read as a whole. There are no considerations advanced, including the policies of the Framework, which outweigh this finding. Accordingly, for the reasons given, the appeal should be dismissed.”
Councillor Clare Welsby, group leader of Ealing Green Party, told EALING.NEWS she “was jubilant when she heard that the appeal against the council’s refusal of planning permission for the 24 hr ‘slots’ machines at the Clocktower in Hanwell – was dismissed. What a success for the community – and such a relief.”
She added: “I am sure the community is rightly celebrating too – they were the driving force behind this success.”
Dominic Kirkbride, a Hanwell resident who led the community campaign, told EALING.NEWS: “I’m absolutely overjoyed that the Planning Inspectorate has shown the right judgement in rejecting the 24hr Casino’s appeal. This is a major victory for Hanwell, and the hard work of the whole community has culminated in this decision — a decision which defends the character and vitality of our town.
“As a Green Party member and candidate, it was great to collaborate with Labour’s Polly Knewstub, who also worked hard on the campaign. The outcome shows what can be achieved when everybody works together.”
North Hanwell Labour councillors Ray Wall, Lauren Wall and Louise Brett Murphy also welcomed the decision. In a joint statement on Facebook, they said they were pleased the appeal had been dismissed and thanked former Hanwell Broadway Labour councillors Polly Knewstub and Yoel Gordon, along with local residents, for their work opposing the application and appeal.
The decision brings to an end a planning battle that attracted widespread opposition from residents, businesses and local politicians across party lines.
The proposal attracted almost 2,000 objections and prompted a number of public protests in Hanwell against it. Campaigners argued that a 24-hour gambling venue would damage the character of the area, harm the high street and fuel anti-social behaviour.
One resident previously wrote on Ealing Council’s planning portal: “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 by antisocial behaviour. We should be encouraging family-friendly establishments that uplift the whole community.”
Another objector added: “The area in Hanwell is already suffering from drug users and drinkers who congregate around the clock tower. This kind of establishment would only make it worse. There are many small businesses nearby that support families — placing a gambling venue in the middle of that is completely irresponsible.”
EALING.NEWS previously contacted Brown & Co, the planning agents acting on behalf of Pure Gaming Limited, for comment but did not receive a response.
 threw out a controversial planning application to turn a former Barclays Bank into a 24-hour gambling venue in Hanwell, a decision hailed by campaigners as a community victory.){kind=link}