By Simon Allin @SimonAllin3 Local Democracy Reporter, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey
A Merkur Slots venue in North Finchley (Image: Google Maps) A suburban gambling venue that ran into strong opposition from residents will have its licence reviewed. The decision means residents and other interested parties can make their views heard on the licence for a Merkur Slots gaming centre in 292 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, Enfield. Campaigners said most people were not aware of the original consultation on the licence due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. A petition against the venue subsequently gained more than 4,000 signatures. Following the public outcry, council leader Cllr Nesil Caliskan wrote to the licensing authority calling for a review.
By Simon Allin @SimonAllin3 Local Democracy Reporter, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey
Another gambling venue is set to open in Green Lanes, Palmers Green (Image: Google Maps) A FIFTH gambling venue set to open in a suburban neighbourhood will be a “magnet” for vulnerable people and lead to antisocial behaviour, campaigners have warned. A group called Game Over for Merkur is battling a decision by Enfield Council to allow Cashino to open a Merkur Slots gaming centre in 292 Green Lanes, Palmers Green. There are already four betting shops in the area – and campaigners say residents were not aware of the plans for the latest gambling venue due to Covid-19 restrictions.
And some are bought at auction, with museum experts waiting up until the early hours to out-bid rival collectors. Julia Bradshaw, senior curator of human history at Canterbury Museum, says they monitor international auctions to see what items are coming up for sale. If objects have a connection to Christchurch, Canterbury or Antarctica, staff put together a proposal to purchase them.
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Shackleton received medals from around the world in recognition of his achievements in Antarctica. “We bought these medals at auction in 2016 because Shackleton has such an important Antarctic story,” Bradshaw says. Most of the medals were awarded before the ill-fated Endurance expedition (1914–1917) and recognised the success of the Nimrod party (1907-1909).