Plans for another amusement arcade in the centre of Bradford have been rejected as it would undermine the “vitality and viability” of the shopping area.

The news that the prominent site at the corner of Bridge Street and Market Street has been turned down for an adult gaming centre comes after a call from a traders’ organisation to stop amusement arcade and bookmakers’ shops taking over the city centre.

The latest planning application concerns an empty shop within a listed building overlooking Centenary Square.

Owner Mohammed Yousaf said he had been searching for a tenant for three years.

The bid was to change the use of the unit from non-retail to adult gaming centre – but agent Umer Akbar said its existing classification meant it could already be used as a bookmaker’s.

He said the downturn in the economy was to blame for the lack of interest from tenants.

But Jon Ackroyd, a conservation officer at Bradford Council, believed the lack of interest from tenants was due to the “poor quality current appearance and poor shop-front, together with the lack of effort on behalf of the property owner in maintaining the building or taking steps to improve its appearance”.

He said it was important that the number of shops was not reduced as it might “discourage other retailers because of a reduction in activity and due to the image presented by such non-retail uses”.

Mary Frame, of Bradford Chamber of Trade, welcomed the move. She said: “We don’t want any more gambling establishments in that immediate area as it attracts the wrong sort of people.”

e-mail: jo.winrow@telegraphandargus.co.uk