Residents who thought they had seen off plans for an adult gaming centre on Putney High Street are being asked to object all over again, after the council approved the scheme on the Chair’s casting vote despite 624 letters of opposition.
Luxury Leisure, which operates the Admiral chain of gambling venues, is now applying for a premises licence under the Gambling Act 2005 for 160-162 Putney High Street, the former Lost Society bar opposite Putney station. The deadline for objections is 12 February 2026.
The licence application follows planning permission granted in December 2024 in one of the most divisive decisions seen at Wandsworth’s Planning Committee. Councillors voted 4-4 with two abstentions, meaning the Chair had to use a casting vote to approve the change of use.
Thamesfield ward councillor Ethan Brooks addressed the committee on behalf of residents, warning that approving the application would “betray the trust of Putney residents” and damage the long-term health of the high street.
624 objections, zero support
The planning application attracted 624 objections and not a single letter of support, making it one of the most opposed applications in recent Putney history. Objectors included the Putney Society, the Deodar Merivale Florian Residents Association, and a letter signed by 80 residents of Norroy Road.
Residents raised concerns about the concentration of gambling venues in the area, with another adult gaming centre (Merkur Slots) already operating 30 metres away at 152 Putney High Street, plus two betting shops nearby. They also cited potential social harm, antisocial behaviour, and negative effects on the character of the high street.
Council officers recommended approval, arguing the site had been vacant since November 2022 and marketed for over three years without attracting any pub, bar or restaurant operator. The Metropolitan Police reported no incidents of crime at similar venues in the borough.
One councillor proposed refusing the application on grounds it would undermine the viability of Putney High Street. The motion was seconded but fell, with four votes for refusal and six against.
When the final vote came on whether to approve, the committee split 4-4 with two abstentions, forcing the Chair to break the deadlock in favour of the applicant.
A second opportunity to object
The new gambling premises licence application gives residents another opportunity to have their say, though the grounds for objection are different under the Gambling Act 2005.
During the planning debate, Councillor Brooks flagged that the site is located close to Putney Library and argued this conflicts with Wandsworth’s Gambling Policy, which states that gambling premises should not be located near sensitive community locations.
This argument may carry more weight in the licensing process, which specifically considers the protection of children and vulnerable people from gambling harm.
Residents in the Putney High Street community WhatsApp group are already coordinating a response. “That application had a huge amount of opposition but still got passed by our wonderful council,” wrote one member when the new licence notice appeared. “We thought it had gone away.”
Another resident noted: “This is an area of young families. Last thing we need is more betting, vape or money laundering outlets.”
How to object
Wandsworth Council is accepting representations until 12 February 2026. Objections can be submitted by email to licensing@merton.gov.uk or by post to Regulatory Services Partnership, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX.
All objections must include your full postal address. Anonymous representations will not be accepted.
Residents should note that simply arguing there are “too many gambling premises” is not valid grounds for objection.
The council states it cannot consider proliferation unless objectors can show it would lead to rises in crime, disorder, underage gambling or problem gambling.
Objections must relate to the three licensing objectives: preventing gambling from being a source of crime, ensuring gambling is conducted fairly and openly, and protecting children and vulnerable people from harm.
Councillors and MPs can submit representations on behalf of residents. Thamesfield councillor Ethan Brooks, who spoke against the planning application, and Putney MP Fleur Anderson could both make representations. Residents who want their elected representatives to act on their behalf should contact them before the deadline.
If valid objections are received, the application goes to a Licensing Committee hearing within 20 working days. The meeting is open to the public and objectors can address the committee directly. The committee can grant the licence as applied, grant it with modified conditions or reduced hours, or reject it.
More information is available on the council’s gambling licensing page.
Luxury Leisure, part of the Novomatic Group, operates more than 250 Admiral venues across the UK and describes itself as the market leading provider of adult gaming centres. The company says 65% of its customers are women aged over 45. If approved, the venue would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and create 12 jobs.
The site’s troubled history
The premises at 160-162 Putney High Street was originally a pub called the Horseshoe. It went through multiple rebrandings including Rat & Parrot, Bar Room Bar, Citizen Smith, and Lost & Co before becoming Lost Society in February 2020. The bar closed in November 2022 when the company went into liquidation.
The building was subsequently occupied by squatters and was among several High Street properties cleared during enforcement action in September 2025.
Have views on this application? Let us know in the comments below.
I hope as many people as possible can lodge objections to this miserable project. Having Mercury Slots in the High Street is bad enough, but this is far worse. And the rotten thing passed only on the chair’s casting vote!
Quite. Thankfully we will all be able to use our ‘casting vote’ on Thursday 7 May 2026 to respond to these councillors.