Plans to extend Potters Bar gambling arcade rejected

PLANS to double the number of fruit machines at the controversial Potters Bar gaming centre look set to be ditched after Hertsmere council rejected the proposals. Last week, the Potters Bar Edition reported how Leisureworld, which owns the

PLANS to double the number of fruit machines at the controversial Potters Bar gaming centre look set to be ditched after Hertsmere council rejected the proposals.

Last week, the Potters Bar Edition reported how Leisureworld, which owns the soon to be adult gaming centre in Darkes Lane, had applied to vary the licence it won at a hearing in February. It had planned to split the premises in two, creating a second, smaller area that would also contain a further four B3 fruit machines - machines with a jackpot of up to �500.

But now Hertsmere Council has intervened - saying the new plans were "outside the spirit of the (Gambling) act".

Phil Andrews, principal licensing officer at Hertsmere council, said: "Following a discussion with the applicant we believe they are going to withdraw both applications as they stand at the moment.

"We felt their current plan to split the premises in two was outside of the spirit of the gambling act and would leave one side very small and cramped.