Plans by a Bradford businessman to extend his amusement centre in the city centre have been turned down.

The council's licensing committee rejected a scheme from Jack Leach to extend his amusement centre in the Old Crown Hotel into an adjoining shop in Ivegate.

Members ruled there were already a sufficient number of amusement facilities in the city centre.

Councillors also said it would mean a substantial alteration in the character of the premises.

Mr Leach said: "I'm very surprised that the committee didn't organise a site visit, that is a very disappointing factor. I have 21 days in which to decide whether or not to appeal."

He denied his plan would alter the building's character and said it would involve creating access for disabled people - which would give him an advantage over his rivals Queensgate Leisure.

He said: "It's not a ruse to get more gaming machines and I have a petition with 108 signatures supporting my application.

"Customers will have more choice if my application is granted. What I am trying to say is why try and squeeze me out?"

But Queensgate's solicitor Austen Science said the application was ill-conceived and ill-prepared. He said there had been no change in the circumstances since the committee was minded to turn it down on March 4.

He dismissed Mr Leach's plans for the disabled as a red herring and said his petition did not carry weight.

He said: "There is no substantial demand from people who are wheel-chair bound. If people who were like this came in they would have trouble playing the games. They would probably need some assistance putting money in the machines."

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