Bradford betting shop plans refused on health grounds

Plans for a new betting shop in Bradford have been refused on health grounds.

A planning application to convert a vacant bar on Broadway into a branch of Jenningsbet was rejected by the council.

Four of the six units on the city centre street where the shop would have been located are currently occupied by betting shops.

The authority’s planning officers said the business would “impede on people’s abilities to make healthy and informed decisions”.

They cited concerns from public health officials that more businesses of the same kind in the area could harm people at risk of gambling addictions.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), officers also feared another betting shop would further erode the character of what should be a prime shopping street – effectively making it a gambling quarter of Bradford city centre.

In its application, Jenningsbet said the location – on the site of the former Bronx Bar – had been “specifically identified to meet a need for its prospective customers in this location”.

The company added that the application was part of its “overall strategy to expand its operations into the north of England”.

The new business would be “an 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”, Jenningsbet said.

Under the plans, the business would be open for gambling from 07:00 until 22:00.

The vacant unit is located opposite a Citizen’s Advice centre, which officers also said presented a risk.

In a report to councillors, they said: “The proposed betting shop, adding to the numerous existing betting/gambling establishments, would be situated close to services used by many people seeking support for children and families as well as those with issues such as addiction, financial problems, and disabilities.

“Although children are not legally permitted to gamble, advertising and visibility of gambling companies and products in places where children and young people are present can normalise gambling and make it appear appealing.”

Planning officers said there could be “some short-term economic benefit as a result of occupying a vacant unit and providing employment”.

But they highlighted Public Health team figures which showed the harm of gambling cost England’s economy £1.27bn between 2019-20.

The LDRS has contacted Jenningsbet for a comment.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.