An application has been made to turn a former bank into a bookies in Spalding town centre.
BoyleSports has applied for change of use permission for the former Barclays Bank at 10 Hall Place, Spalding.
It has submitted documents to South Holland District Council to change the downstairs of the building into a ‘betting office’.
It also includes plans to get rid of the ‘marble powder coated aluminium shopfront’ existing and put up illuminated signs.
Previously there was widespread opposition to the opening of the Merkur Slots branch across the road from the application site, but that was passed on appeal after being rejected by South Holland District Council.
Documents submitted with the application state it would create three full time and three part time jobs.
It continues that the application would provide ‘economic growth’ stating: “Spalding town centre is relatively large and has around 300 units, of these four are betting offices, amounting to approximately 1.3 per cent of the total units.
“An additional betting office would increase this proportion to 1.6 per cent, it therefore cannot be said that the proposed development would constitute proliferation.”
“Betting offices have been shown to support the vitality and viability of centres in numerous appeal decisions as they generate footfall and encourage people to spend longer in the centre, therefore supporting the shopping function of centres.”
The application also says the setting is commercial, with a mix of both traditional and contemporary frontages.
“The scale, design and illumination of the proposed advertisement and shopfront are appropriate and are consistent with the existing character of Spalding town centre. The proposed development would maintain the character and the appearance of the conservation area,” adds the document.
It also says the company spends an average of £300,000 on fitting out each new unit. It also spends an average of £9,500 on business rates a year per unit.
“The proposed development will enhance the conservation area by bringing a vacant site back into beneficial use,” it says.
The company BoyleSports Ltd was founded in 1989 by John Boyle and currently has more than 300 shops in Ireland and the UK.
