Councillor Jane Keane speaking at the committee meeting. Credit: Havering Council
(Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sebastian Mann)
The company successfully applied for permission to increase the number of fruit machines in the Moon and Stars pub in Romford from six to seven.
The South Street venue was closed for around three months last year for refurbishment, reopening to patrons in late October.
Three new machines were set up as part of the revamp but demand is still high, the pub says.
At a licensing committee meeting on Thursday, representatives from the popular chain said more customers had been using the fruit machines since the refurbishment and it would be “financially beneficial” to add another.
The venue will need to prove that under-18s “do not have access” to the machines, and were advised to keep them within view of the L-shaped bar.
Committee chair Philippa Crowder pressed the representatives on whether they could monitor them during peak hours, but was told all seven would be “fully visible” to both bar staff and roaming floor managers.
The representative said “all staff” were trained under the Challenge 21 scheme, which requires them to ask for identification from customers who look younger than 21.
Refusals are logged and staff will “turn the machine off” if there are any concerns. There were two such incidents in the last years, councillors were told.
Additionally, the pub “may consider” incorporating signage or leaflets to mitigate harm to customers who have gambling addictions, the council advised.
Through a cashback scheme, customers can withdraw money from the till and staff have also been trained to monitor those who frequently ask for large amounts. In some cases staff will intervene, the pub managers said.
There is no ATM outside the pub.
Committee member Jane Keane said she was “slightly concerned” the pub was asking to increase the number of machines considering the “cumulative impact” on South Street.
She said that gambling was an area that is “very sensitive with older people with particular addiction problems of many types”.
She said: “We do house many people like that in the South Street area, so I would like to see that addressed.”
She added that other businesses may want to increase the number of machines, too, though she acknowledged it was a “competitive field” and “no one wants to see an empty high street”.
