BOOKMAKERS are taking over Manchester city centre it would appear. There are already over 30 in the central areas occupying ground floor premises that were previously shop units, banks and offices but never gambling dens.
We want government to create a separate planning class for bookmakers with a tougher set of criteria
Since central government relaxed the rules around opening up bookmakers the long recession in retail has provided an opportunity for the gambling industry to prosper.
Presently Betfred are converting a former restaurant in Chinatown, the International Buffet, into a bookies, despite there being three other betting shops within a two minute crawl, never mind walk.
Bonnie Yeung of Manchester Chinatown Community Group (MCTCG) said: “We have been working with the city council in attracting new businesses but this isn’t what we had in mind. It’s more of the same and it’s more gambling. We want to promote growth, introducing more gambling establishments to the area does not seem to be the best way to achieve this.”
Confidential can see the point MCTCG are trying to make.
The new bookies will be on Nicholas Street facing the gardens close to the Chinese Arch. This is Chinatown’s front window, a Chinese bar or maybe a cracking new restaurant, would have offered something more to visitors than another bookies.
“It’s a problem right across the city centre,” says Councillor Kevin Peel. “But since central government relaxed the rules there’s little we can do. We’ll be opposing it but no doubt permission will have to be granted. Even if we take it to appeal then there will be the same result.
“As with other local authorities – there’s a campaign that’s already been launched by several London boroughs – we want government to create a separate planning class for bookmakers with a tougher set of criteria over their introduction into an area – for instance, is the area saturated with these businesses to the detriment of other traders and residents?
“There are huge social problems with gambling at present across the country especially with machines at which people can stake £100 and pay by credit card. People are losing fortunes.
"Gambling is a particular issue in the Chinese community. We are talking with people to oppose this change of use in Chinatown. But, as it stands, local government can object but in the end the permission will no doubt be granted.”
Premises licence - more or less signed and sealed
The machines Peel is talking about are fixed odds betting terminals, also known as ‘crack cocaine slot machines’ because of their addictive nature. Punters can lose up to £300 a minute on these machines, meanwhile last year, the gambling industry made £1.6bn profit on them according to the Campaign for Fairer Gambling.
The latter group has also pointed out that more betting shops were opened in poorer areas than affluent ones - shops dominated by fixed odds betting terminals. It seems bookmakers are no longer filled with people waiting to see the result of the 2.30 at Kempton but by people jousting with their cash on savings guzzling machines.
Given the present rules governing opening new bookies this latest addition to Chinatown will probably not be the last. The rest of the city centre can anticipate more as well.
