An application has been made to turn a former bank into a bookies.
BoyleSports have applied for change of use permission for the former Barclay’s Bank at 10 Hall Place, Spalding.
It has submitted document 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 job.
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.”
