Bianca Jagger is objecting to a west London gambling arcade moving to a “highly visible” spot on Earl's Court Road to operate around the clock.
Silvertime Amusements’ plans to relocate its existing venue to a larger site on the same street.
Human rights advocate Bianca Jagger, who was married to Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger from 1971 to 1978, has been vocal in her opposition to Silvertime’s gambling licence application for the new site.
“Silvertime's existing site is discreet. The proposed site would be highly visible, with approximately quadruple the window space in a prime location within the core area of Earl's Court,” she wrote in an objection letter on March 23.
She added: “This is the wrong place for this business and contributing to the saturation of betting and AGCs within several metres of one another - I am aware that this would not be permitted in other main areas of the borough, why is this [being] contemplated to be permitted in Earl's Court?”
She has also cited concerns over how many residents will have seen the application, as Kensington and Chelsea Council's licencing portal remains offline following a cyber attack.
Silvertime is hoping to move its 24/7 adult gaming centre, where gambling takes place, to a new location. It has applied for a gambling licence for a larger site at 177-179 Earl's Court Road. If this is approved, its current licence for 169 Earl’s Court Road will be surrendered.
Gaming machines will be located solely on the ground floor of the proposed premises, which has a stated floor area of approximately 115.55 square metres, according to Silvertime.
Linda Wade, Kensington and Chelsea Councillor for Earl's Court, has also made a representation against the application, proposing that the shop should not run as a 24/7 venue. She said if the licence is granted, Silvertime should be required to close at 11.30pm, from Sunday to Thursday, and at 12am, on Friday and Saturday.
In an objection letter, she said: “Silvertime has acquired this prime site in a core area of Earl's Court to increase its brand visibility, to increase market share, with approximately quadruple the window space of their existing site and an adult gaming centre would have a detrimental impact on the area for businesses and residents alike.
“This is a high-volume footfall area with hotels, and close to the bus stop with young adults going to school. We have a high level of vulnerability, with two methadone dispensing chemists, one opposite the site, 20 meters from the proposed site.
“It is understood that the applicant has applied based on Silvertime's present hours, but with Silvertime's new site, this requires a new licensing application, and residents are saying 'No' to 24/7 and want to regain their high street.”
A spokesperson for the adult amusement company said this was a “straightforward” application to relocate its long-standing venue at 169 Earl's Court Road. While the new shop will be larger than the old shop, it will still be a below average size shop, with improved facilities, Silvertime says.
New residential accommodation is also proposed on the first and second floor to provide additional residential accommodation. It added that the original venue has not had any issues and that it will close down before the new site opens.
