At the Business in Sport and Leisure Annual Conference yesterday, held at Lord’s Cricket Ground, speakers included both the Minister for Tourism & Heritage, John Penrose, and the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, Harriet Harman. BISL is the strategic body representing the private sector in Sport and Leisure. It makes representations on behalf of the industry on the key policy issues affecting sport, licensing, gambling, employment, property and planning, tourism, etc.
The theme of the conference, entitled ‘Leisure Works,’ was how to deliver jobs and growth in the sport and leisure industry. Harriet Harman, who is also the Shadow Deputy Prime Minister, spoke mainly on the importance of sport and leisure activities in people’s lives, particularly for young people. “Sports and leisure inspires and engages young people and one in four young people in work are in your industry.”
Touching on the subject of high street bookmakers, Harriet Harman voiced the concerns that are being expressed by local residents in many towns. Many shops on Britain’s high streets are being
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given licences as betting shops and the profitable fixed-odds betting machines (FOBTs) are proliferating.
“And we want to have a sensible regulatory framework too. That includes ensuring our High Streets in low income areas – like in my constituency of Peckham don’t become blighted by too many betting shops that are becoming mini casinos, by giving local people and local councils a say over the shops on their high streets. Not stopping people from enjoying the pleasure of placing a bet but protecting people from developing a problem gambling habit and giving local people the right to decide.”
The next edition of the BISL annual conference will take place on Thursday, 1 November 2012. (E-11.11.11)
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