William Hill plans not a favourite to go ahead

The plans, submitted by William Hill Ltd, seek to convert the former Save the Children shop into a bookmakers and although Newbury is an established racing town, there are already a number of bookies in the town centre, including three Ladbrokes.
Speaking at a meeting of Newbury Town Council’s planning and highways committee, Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera (Lib Dem, Victoria) raised moral objections to the plans.
“I would suggest that we have more than enough betting offices. Given the economic climate do we really need to be encouraging people to be betting further,” he said.
This view was supported by David Allen (Lib Dem, Victoria) who said that he was getting a bit nervous about the amount of betting offices in the town and that the site was classed as prime retail shop frontage.
However, support for the plans came from Tony Stretton (Con, Clay Hill) who said: “We back other vices like alcohol so why is this any different. At the end of the day betting is a business and the punter will get a better deal due to competition.”
Mr Stretton also argued that William Hill would be a new company in the town and that it was not up to councillors to dictate which businesses were allowed.
Despite the moral reservations, which are not grounds for blocking planning permission, councillors objected to the plans on the grounds that it would result in the loss of primary shop frontage in the town centre.
A decision is expected from West Berkshire Council by July 4.