Objections have been raised against plans to turn an empty bank building into a betting shop on Staple Hill High Street, three years after it ceased trading. The planning proposal was submitted by BoyleSports (UK) Limited, to change the use of the bank despite the street already being home to bookmakers Backhouse Bet and William Hill.
According to the planning application, a new use for the unit will help “enhance” the “footfall” in the area. An extract reads: “The site being vacant is having a detrimental effect on the quality of retail experience of High Street users. This proposal seeks to bring back into beneficial use a long-term vacant unit that would actively contribute to enhancing the commercial character of this frontage.” It further suggests that “the new shopfront will assist in providing an active frontage onto High Street” and “occupation of the unit will also enhance the vibrancy of the town centre.”
But the vision for the establishment has raised grave concerns among local residents who shared their objections in the form of comments on the South Gloucestershire Council (SCC) Planning and Development website. One commenter said: “Another betting shop being allowed to set up on the High Street is shameful. The existing two betting shops within a stone's throw of this site are already frequented by vulnerable and disadvantaged people.”
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Zoe Gibbons wrote: “We should be encouraging businesses to open that improve the area and contribute to our local community, not suck money and soul out of it.” Mr Atikul Islam said he would rather have an “abandoned building than a business that ruins the image of the whole high street and upsets the locals”.
He said a” family restaurant, library, book store or a fish monger” would be “more suitable and in keeping with the needs of the locals”. He believes this will help to “elevate” the current trend which looks to “ruin” the deprived high street. Others have cited that the cost of living crisis already impacts society and another betting shop "encouraging debt" is a "toxic industry". Julia Morrish continued: “Part of Staple Hill's charm and identity is the independent shops, more betting shops take that charm away.”
Staple Hill Councillor Ian Boulton also objected to the plans and said it sends the “wrong message” about the High Street and its reputation has been “seriously eroded” by planning decisions in recent years.
Mr Boulton said throughout the years South Gloucestershire Council has “ allowed a range of shops on Staple Hill High Street to change use despite over-representation of certain businesses and overwhelming objections from residents. This means that our town centre becomes less attractive to diverse new businesses that have historically been keen to set up in Staple Hill affecting the vibrancy of our busy High Street.”
The Cllr would like to see the SCC tackle an “over-concentration of certain businesses” like other councils who are “prepared to use planning legislation to object to them within shopping centres. “It would be nice to see South Gloucestershire showing a similar commitment to our High Street economies,” he added.
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