John Evelyn pub to become a betting shop

At a licensing committee meeting on 26 October, councillors agreed to give Paddy Power the go-ahead to change the use of the John Evleyn pub.

Former landlord Doug Elsley spoke at the meeting and handed in letters of objection from 60 traders in Deptford, claiming another bookmakers could increase crime and street drinking.

He said later “Unfortunately it was inevitable really because these meetings are so restrictive in what you can object to. They’re not interested in whether it should be a pub or not.

“I feel for the people because they’ve been left with absolutely nothing.”

Admiral Taverns which ran the pub has also recently sold off the Deptford Arms to Paddy Power.

Lewisham Council is consulting next year on a planning policy to help protect pubs, only allowing them to change use if there are alternative pubs in the area.

A spokesman for Paddy Power said: “The brewery came to us – it wasn’t us looking to put a pub out of business.”

Source: Newsshopper