Paddy Power has won its appeal over Newham Council's refusal to allow it open a betting shop on Green Street, in east London. The council had turned down Paddy Power's earlier application for a new shop in East Ham on the grounds that it would attract crime and anti-social behaviour and so would be in breach of the 2005 Gambling Act.

However in granting the licence, District Judge Paul Goldspring said that he disagreed with the decision of the sub-committee to reject the licence on the basis of crime and disorder which was “wrong” on the evidence presented. He concluded that the granting of the licence would be reasonably consistent with the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder.

In a statement, Paddy Power said that it was committed to maintaining a “close working relationship and open dialogue” with all of the local councils.

"We are committed to building our relationship with Newham Council and do not want the community to lose out as a result of this case. We have therefore decided to donate all costs awarded to Paddy Power to charities working across Newham," the company said.