A NEW betting shop next to Bournemouth Square would create ‘a bad image’ and could ‘open the floodgates’, it is warned.

The Betfred chain of bookmakers has applied for a betting premises licence at the site of the old Santander bank at the start of Old Christchurch Road.

Bob Chapman, ward councillor for central Bournemouth, said bookies should be kept out of the ‘prime location’ with children around the bus stops outside.

He said: “It’s the last thing we need there as this would give Bourne-mouth a bad image.”

Cllr Chapman said other town centres have seen a number of betting shops clustered together and he feared having a Betfred would ‘open the floodgates’.

There are Betfred shops at the Triangle and further up Old Christchurch Road towards the Lansdowne, as well as a Ladbrokes at The Triangle, a Coral in Post Office Road and a William Hill in Gervis Place.

Cllr Chapman said those were in ‘more discreet’ locations.

No planning application for change of use is required when a bank or building society is changed into a betting shop.

Paul Clarke, chairman of Bourne-mouth Accommodation and Hotel association, said: “Whilst it is probably not the ideal replacement of what was there before it does provide an alternative choice to shops and if run by a reputable bookmakers may add value to the area.”

A Betfred spokesman declined to comment.