SBC News Glasgow City Council backs restriction of high street betting shops

Glasgow City Council backs restriction of high street betting shops

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Glasgow City Council has backed ministerial proposals which will force betting operators to seek consent approval by Scottish councils on whether they can operate a high-street betting shop.

Representatives stated that Glasgow City Council would support the Holyrood proposals, which will present new Scottish legislation to UK Parliament next month. Among the proposals set to be presented, is an outline for new legislation restricting shop openings of retail bookmakers and payday lenders.

The new legislation will recommend ministers place retail bookmakers and payday lenders in their own council planning class, thus preventing betting operators from taking over high street properties without the need for planning permission.

Glasgow City Treasurer Paul Rooney said: “People in our communities see a third, fourth or fifth bookies appear on their doorstep and, quite understandably, they want to know why their local councillors don’t seem to be able to do anything about it.

“We want to give a bit of power back to those people. If the government is prepared to back our proposal, any new bookies will need planning consent and neighbours will always have a chance to be heard.”

Scottish news sources report that if given the go-ahead by Parliament, Scottish councils could implement the new legislations on high street betting shops by December 2014.

UK bookmakers have yet to make a statement on the planned proposals, it is further unknown whether UK bookmakers will legally challenge the Holyrood Proposals.

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