Fourth betting shop approved on city street

The approval means this will be the fourth betting shop on Princess Street

A new betting shop has been approved by government inspectors despite Wolverhampton City Council rejecting the application.

The local authority blocked the move by Boylesports to open on Princess Street last year, claiming there were too many betting shops in the area and it would add to the “unwelcoming feel of the area.”

The company appealed to the planning inspectors who have the power to overrule the council, and won.

The inspectors said there was no evidence to suggest another betting shop would add to crime or antisocial behaviour.

City of Wolverhampton Council said the move did not fit with its plans to regenerate the area when it rejected the move.

“The proposed change of use would create an unacceptable concentration of betting shops in a small area,” planners said.

Princess Street is currently home to three betting shops as well as the Old Still and Duke of York pubs.

Officials argued the "comings and goings between pubs and betting shops and loitering" would contribute to creating a negative environment.

Government inspectors said Princess Street was "pleasant and welcoming”, and opening another betting shop would not stop the council from continuing to regenerate the area.

The shop will replace the former Royal Bank of Scotland branch which had remained empty since closing in 2018.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.