Protesters against a new betting shop were “outraged” to find what they believe is the council mediating for the company.

After the community protested against a new Paddy Power shop in Colindale Avenue, Colindale, campaigners were “outraged” to receive a letter from the council on behalf of the betting shop.

The letter, addressed to one of the protesters, named the betting company as “our clients” and said the council’s licensing department was acting “on behalf of ” the company in inviting them to a consultation on Friday before the licensing committee decision.

The committee meeting will be held on July 4 with another later on the week to determine whether Paddy Power will be granted a licence for a store at Plot 299 in Colindale Avenue.

Sreekumar Bhat, of Guardian Avenue, said: “I’m shocked to see that council has sent a letter on behalf of Paddy Power’s solicitors to residents who objected to its opening for an unofficial meeting ahead of the licensing committee hearing.

“It looks extremely fishy and makes me feel very insecure about who the council supports, the residents or a corporate betting shop.”

However Barnet Council says this is common practice, and it will often facilitate conversations between companies and residents in relation to licensing applications to make sure there is “meaningful consultation”.

A council spokesman, who was not named, said: “On this occasion the council was passing on correspondence from agents acting on behalf of Paddy Power.

“Unfortunately a clerical error resulted in the council letterhead being placed on the correspondence.

“The council would like to apologise for any confusion this may have caused, and will be in contact with the residents to apologise and clarify this matter.”