Residents speak out over casino plans

By Josh Spero

ISLINGTON residents are divided over possible plans for a casino at Arsenal’s new Emirates Stadium, with some expressing fears it would increase crime and disorder.

“I wouldn’t like that at all,” said Ellie Jones, 28. “It could potentially bring a lot of unsavoury characters to the neighbourhood.”

A survey of people on Highbury Park yesterday showed residents' concerns that it would lower the tone of the area or make it more dangerous.

“I wouldn’t be happy with that, actually – we’ve already got a pub outside my house. It would create a bad environment,” said Neil Singh, 57.

Some residents who were opposed to a casino in the area felt that, if there were one, the Emirates Stadium would be the best place for it.

Judith Comyn, 38, said she objected to a casino at all but minded less about having it at the stadium. “In a bizarre way that makes it slightly better. It’s an entertainment hub and they could use their underground car-parks. But it can’t be good for people.”

Many people questioned sounded a cautious note, including Islington’s chief policeman in an interview with a local newspaper. Chief Superintendent Barry Norman said: “Anything that attracts money into the community and creates jobs and investment is fine by me, as long as it’s monitored properly.”

“As long as the right regulations were in place I wouldn’t be too upset,” said Jason Hughes, 36.
There were expressions of support too, with people particularly suggesting it could be good for local businesses.

"If they aren’t here, it will be somewhere else, and it may liven up the area: there would be more shops, hotels, a bigger range of businesses,” said John McCarthy, 28.

One person suggested that the casino would make the area safer. “It could bring more attention to this area. We have suffered a few crimes here and it could make the police more focused,” said Rafal Marcinkow, 30.

Steve Bliffett, of estate agents Hotblack Desiato, said a small casino would have little effect, especially in the Emirates Stadium which already has “60,000 rowdy Gooners.” But he added: “A super-casino would ruin the area – it’s a residential area with a few high streets; it would turn in to a stinking mess – it would become Blackpool.”

Some people expressed wider ideological reservations, while others compared their experiences of casinos abroad.

“It’s dreadful – I completely disagree with the Government’s policy on gambling,” Judith Comyn said.

The Government has said it will license only one ‘super-casino’, which would have restaurants and entertainment venues as well as gambling. Islington is not in the running for this, but the borough is licensing smaller casinos.