Go ahead for betting shop

12:00pm Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News By Corey Ross

A PLANNING inspector has granted permission for an empty shop premises to be turned into a betting shop.

Wiltshire Council refused planning permission to Coral Racing Limited for a licensed betting office at 6 Bridge Street because it felt the retail function of the area would be undermined.

Councillors felt a short term gain in terms of filling a vacant unit and creating some jobs would be at the expense of the long-term viability of the city centre.

But inspector Brian Cook said retail function is about “viability and vitality” and there was no evidence that that a betting shop would undermine this function.

He judged the application should be granted, subject to three conditions, including a restriction on opening hours.

Comments(6)

Grampie says...
12:14pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Betting shops are growth industries. Like pay day loan companies, these are the only companies that are flourishing.

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Capricorn 1 says...
11:06pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Grampie wrote:
Betting shops are growth industries. Like pay day loan companies, these are the only companies that are flourishing.
Sad but true.

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jjmcchesney says...
10:35am Wed 16 Jan 13

How is it that some pen pusher can overturn the will of the elected representatives of local residents? Decisions like this make me think that people are intent on destroying the high street.

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karlmarx says...
2:52pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Todays casualty, Blockbuster. Yesterdays casualty, HMV.
Pending? French connection, Thorntons, Dixons?

We can blame online competition for sure but, those prospering in the high streets also have a big online presence. Even those who have folded had big online stores. So possibly it is not as simple as it is being portrayed.
It's only a guess but, I suggest a few more reasons as follows, please feel free to add yours...
No disposable income
High street business rates
Parking
High street rents

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rantone says...
6:13pm Wed 16 Jan 13

All good comments made above to a complex issue. Perhaps Mr Glen MP could explain once more what 'LOCALLISM' means to a small city. His party created this policy, but as yet all one hears is 'outsiders' making the decision - not even the elected representatives. Perhaps I should bet that he will not!

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Dr S Brule says...
5:17pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Not a massive fan of betting myself, but I have no problem with this. I attribute this attitude to not having been born in the 1700s

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