New figures show that Peterborough’s five adult gaming centres are all located in areas of deprivation in the city centre.

According to figures from the BBC Shared Data Unit the five adult gaming centres are situated in the 20 per cent most deprived areas of the city.

Now Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes says the figures support moves by the Government to tackle the uncontrolled growth of of gambling and unwanted stores.

He said: “These latest figures back up local concerns about the spread of Adult Gaming Centres in Peterborough.

"People are fed up with our streets being turned into the Wild West by gambling shops.

“I have regularly raised these issues in Parliament, including at Prime Minister’s Questions, and welcome the fact that Government is bringing forward plans to tackle the uncontrolled growth of gambling and unwanted stores such as this.

“After a decade of the previous government turning a blind eye to the growth of gambling stores, this government is listening.

“We need to call time on these kinds of developments and ensure councils have the power to deal with the uncontrolled growth stores like these.

Mr Pakes added: “I welcome the recent decision in the Budget for a new gambling tax and plans to give councils the power to say not to the over-development of stories like adult gaming centres and vape shops.

“I will be working in the year ahead to ensure these changes as enacted quickly and that we can keep on turning our city around.”

Councillor Arooj Shah, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Neighbourhoods Committee said: “Councils recognise that some people enjoy using bingo halls and adult gaming centres.

"However, the clustering of these venues and extended opening hours in areas of high deprivation is a concern.”

Anna Hargrave, transition CEO of GambleAware, said: “Local authorities need to be given more powers so that they can control the number of gambling venues in their areas. #

"Gambling venues also must ensure they are enforcing self-exclusion schemes to protect people.”

Allastar Gair, communications director at trade association BACTA, which represents the gambling industry, said: “A new AGC does not open without a full licensing process, council oversight and a detailed risk assessment.

“Operators do not target deprived areas; they take on long term empty units and invest in high streets that need regeneration.

“Our sector is tightly regulated and we are continuing to raise standards through strengthened systems, better training and visible safer gambling measures.”