News
19-07-06, 02:41 PM
THE OWNER of a controversial new poker club that has caused anger among locals has said he is doing nothing wrong.
The All In Club, on Three Bridges Road, has come under fire from residents because of its late opening hours and location next to sheltered housing for the elderly.
But because of a loophole in the law, the club is allowed to operate without a gambling licence and cannot be closed by the authorities.
One angry neighbour, Judy Charlton, 54, of Three Bridges Road, said: "It's totally the wrong place to have it.
"We already have a lot of noise from the pubs on the street and this will make it worse, especially if they are selling drink.
An 86-year-old resident of Laker Court, the residential home that backs on to the club,said: "It doesn't bear thinking about.
"We lead a quiet life here. It's not the place to have an establishment like that."
The club has been operating poker tables in an upstairs room since October last year but is only now applying for planning permission to take over the former hair-dressing shop downstairs and obtain a drinks licence.
Co-owner Lee Barhorun said that although he understood the residents' concerns, there was no need for alarm.
He said: "This isn't gambling,as the game is 70 per cent skill and there is no law to say that you need a licence to play poker."
He said that although he is applying for a liquor licence,he did not expect people to drink a lot.
"The last thing you want to do when you play poker is get drunk."
Only 30 people would play at a time, he said, and there are strict rules about who is let in.
"If there was ever a complaint about a particular person then we would take away their member-ship immediately," he said.
Despite these reassurances, many residents have already complained to the police and council.
But Inspector Mark Piper, of Crawley Police, said there was little he could do to stop it. "We have a limited capability of objecting.
He added: "We are aware this doesn't fulfil the local worries but we recommend that anyone who has concerns should contact the council licensing department."
A spokeswoman for Crawley Council said the club did not need a licence for gambling but needed planning permission for the change of use of the building.
She claimed the form to do this was completed incorrectly and that she was waiting for the managers to resubmit it.
News Source
http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/communi...o-owner_claims/ (http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/community/no_need_for_alarm_over_new_poker_club_co-owner_claims/)
The All In Club, on Three Bridges Road, has come under fire from residents because of its late opening hours and location next to sheltered housing for the elderly.
But because of a loophole in the law, the club is allowed to operate without a gambling licence and cannot be closed by the authorities.
One angry neighbour, Judy Charlton, 54, of Three Bridges Road, said: "It's totally the wrong place to have it.
"We already have a lot of noise from the pubs on the street and this will make it worse, especially if they are selling drink.
An 86-year-old resident of Laker Court, the residential home that backs on to the club,said: "It doesn't bear thinking about.
"We lead a quiet life here. It's not the place to have an establishment like that."
The club has been operating poker tables in an upstairs room since October last year but is only now applying for planning permission to take over the former hair-dressing shop downstairs and obtain a drinks licence.
Co-owner Lee Barhorun said that although he understood the residents' concerns, there was no need for alarm.
He said: "This isn't gambling,as the game is 70 per cent skill and there is no law to say that you need a licence to play poker."
He said that although he is applying for a liquor licence,he did not expect people to drink a lot.
"The last thing you want to do when you play poker is get drunk."
Only 30 people would play at a time, he said, and there are strict rules about who is let in.
"If there was ever a complaint about a particular person then we would take away their member-ship immediately," he said.
Despite these reassurances, many residents have already complained to the police and council.
But Inspector Mark Piper, of Crawley Police, said there was little he could do to stop it. "We have a limited capability of objecting.
He added: "We are aware this doesn't fulfil the local worries but we recommend that anyone who has concerns should contact the council licensing department."
A spokeswoman for Crawley Council said the club did not need a licence for gambling but needed planning permission for the change of use of the building.
She claimed the form to do this was completed incorrectly and that she was waiting for the managers to resubmit it.
News Source
http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/communi...o-owner_claims/ (http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/community/no_need_for_alarm_over_new_poker_club_co-owner_claims/)