PLANS for a fifth betting shop on a city street should be blocked to “protect children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling” – according to health officials.
Jenningsbet recently submitted a planning application to convert the former Bronx Bar on Broadway into the company’s first Bradford branch.
If approved, it would be the fifth betting shop in a row of six units on what should be one of the city’s main shopping streets.
The unit sits between a Ladbrokes, Admiral Casino, Paddy Power and William Hill, and is on a street that is undergoing major works that have turned it from a busy road to a public plaza.
Bradford Council’s public health team has now objected to the plans, pointing out that as well as the four existing betting shops on Broadway, there are a further five within three minutes’ walk.
The objection says: “We wish to lodge an objection to a fifth gambling premise being licensed to operate on Broadway, in a row of only six premises in total.”
It points out that the city centre attracts many families and young people, and that many deprived households and people vulnerable to gambling addiction live in the area.
The objection also points out that this new business would be just yards from the city’s Citizen’s Advice bureau.
It adds: “The Council operates its public facing Contact Centre, from the ground floor of Britannia House largely serving people in need of support for issues relating to low-income, a wide range of benefits and housing issues, all of which indicate high need levels, living in precarious circumstances or broader vulnerability.
“The unit is in close proximity of a number of key provisions for both children and vulnerable people and inadequate consideration of their needs would increase both their exposure to gambling premises and the risks this brings to their wellbeing.
“Introducing an additional betting shop to a busy high street where there is a high level of gambling provision already, risks further increasing the level of gambling harm in this area, as well as further normalising gambling, despite its’ known health risks.
“Our key concern is the over-exposure to gambling premises, cues and triggers to gamble for young adults and vulnerable adults who are accessing civic space or key support services, and the habitual exposure to gambling premises for many thousands of children and young people who are accessing nearby retail and leisure amenities.
“Given the evidence of over-supply and exclusion of other use-types in this location, our objection is based on protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.”
The company’s planning application said the betting shop would provide the "opportunity to avoid a prolonged period of vacancy and to provide economic investment in the unit which will create additional vitality and footfall in the area.”
A decision on the application is imminent.
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