Residents in Hanwell, joined by local politicians, staged a second protest on Thursday (28 August 2025) against a planning application to turn a former bank on Uxbridge Road into a 24-hour machine gambling venue, as opposition gathers pace.
The controversial plans for 153–155 Uxbridge Road have triggered fierce resistance from residents, business owners, Hanwell Broadway councillors and North Hanwell councillors, who say the development would damage the area’s character, harm the local high street and increase anti-social behaviour.
The latest demonstration drew a crowd similar in size to the first rally four weeks earlier. Local MP Deidre Costigan (Ealing Southall), Labour councillors Polly Knewstub (Hanwell Broadway) and Louise Brett (North Hanwell), and Green Party candidate Clare Welsby joined residents, alongside representatives from Ealing Foodbank and other community groups.
Strong opposition to the plans has seen nearly 2,000 objections to the planning application being made, up from around 1,400 before the first protest on 30 July 2025. A core group of more than 40 residents has since organised leaflet drops, coordinated emails to councillors, and launched a mailing list to mobilise supporters.
The current anger in the Hanwell community mirrors that of 2007, when plans emerged to convert a former bakery across the road at 120 Uxbridge Road into an adult gaming centre. That planning application was refused by Ealing Council on 27 April 2007. The site is now home to Momentum coffee shop.
Due to the controversial nature of the plan, locals say they would like it to be referred to Ealing Council’s planning committee, rather than being decided by a single officer. Campaigners argue this will allow charities, community groups and police to present evidence about the risks posed by a 24-hour gaming venue in the area.
The site, next to Hanwell’s landmark Clock Tower, was formerly a Barclays Bank for decades before becoming a Domino’s Pizza. It was later expected to reopen as the Grand Pasha restaurant, but that plan collapsed earlier this year. On 14 April 2025, bailiffs acting for the landlord placed a Torts Notice addressed to Puree Gourmet Limited on the premises. A Forfeiture Notice was issued on 29 April, formally ending that tenancy.
A new planning application now proposes a change of use from hot food takeaway to “bingo premise” — a label that opponents say masks its real purpose: a 24/7 adult gaming centre filled with electronic slot-style machines. A yellow public notice outside describes it as a “Bingo Hall”, while the official application form uses the term “Bingo Premise”. Locals argue it bears no resemblance to traditional bingo.
Computer-generated images included in the submission show the venue branded as Red9Nine — a name used by the applicant Aman Singh Goraya in other gambling ventures.
The application was submitted on 11 June 2025 by Aman Singh Goraya, director of Pure Gaming Limited. The company, incorporated in 2016, is registered with the Gambling Commission and trades under Red9Nine and Casino Slots. Red9Nine currently operates a site in Denmark Hill, while Casino Slots runs a branch in Chatham, Kent.
In its latest unaudited accounts (to 31 March 2024), Pure Gaming reported 62 employees — more than double the previous year’s 30.
The application also requests permission to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no period of closure. Councillors and residents say this would worsen local issues with addiction, noise, crime and social disruption.
The campaign against the gambling centre is expected to continue in the run-up to the committee hearing, with organisers urging more residents to make their objections heard. A campaign mailing list has been set up for locals to find out more at http://eepurl.com/jma29U
Local councillors had urged residents to submit objections before the 6 August 2025 deadline.
Councillor Knewstub previously posted 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 added: “No, no, no to the slots arcade at Hanwell Clocktower. This is not wanted in our community. Deadline now ends on 6th August — but no need to wait until then!!”
What residents are saying on the planning application portal
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 by antisocial behaviour. We should be encouraging family-friendly establishments that uplift the whole community.”
Another local said: “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.”
A third added: “The local authority is trying to improve civic and social space in Hanwell and West Ealing. This development runs counter to that. It will degrade the area, increase antisocial behaviour, and gambling is proven to cause financial hardship and family problems. This will place added strain on under-resourced local services.”
Another resident commented: “I strongly object. This area already suffers from antisocial behaviour — drug use behind the Duke of York, street drinking by the Clocktower, and a halfway house nearby. A 24/7 gambling licence here would worsen all of that.”
EALING.NEWS has contacted Brown & Co, the agents who submitted the application on behalf of Pure Gaming Limited, for comment.
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