The Merkur Slots shop – if allowed to open – would be located several doors down from a William Hill and a Paddy Power in Lea Bridge Road, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
Gambling chain Merkur Slots is seeking permission to open a betting shop in Leyton.
Plans have been lodged with Waltham Forest for the company to convert the former Costa in Lea Bridge Road, which has been closed since late 2025.
The shop – two doors down from a William Hill – would be open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, according to documents submitted to the planning department earlier this month.
A general ‘design standards’ template says the shop will be monitored by CCTV both inside and out.
The company previously sought permission to open a 24-hour betting shop in Hoe Street, but its application was rejected in April – for the first time ever.
Elected councillors on the gambling committee were ultimately “not convinced” by Merkur Slots’ arguments that most people visiting shops in the early hours were hospitality workers unwinding after their shifts.
According to new documents submitted to the planning department, Merkur pushes back against the descriptor “betting shop,” preferring “adult gaming centre”.
Its venues are “often, unfortunately,” categorised as betting shops because of a “widespread misunderstanding of how gaming centres operate and who our customers are”.
The nine-page ‘planning brochure’ argues that a new Merkur Slots in the high street is a “good thing,” as it is not a “noisy neighbour,” staff are trained on safeguarding, and that the premises will provide up to 12 new local jobs and £450,000 in investments, while increasing footfall.
A decision is due on the scheme by 14th December, six weeks after it was submitted.
There are more than 230 Merkur Slots shops across the UK.
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