A CAMPAIGN calling for councils to be given more powers over betting shops is being supported in Bournemouth.

Bournemouth councillors are backing proposals to create a new planning use class for betting shops, which would give local authorities more say in where they can and cannot open.

The move comes after Betfred won a licence to open a new shop in former Santander building society in the heart of the town centre. Some councillors and town centre trader representatives had expressed concerns over opening a betting shop in such a prime site, but the licensing committee said it had no grounds to reject the application.

A total of 25 councils are supporting the campaign, which is being led by Hackney Council.

Cllr Dave Smith, town centre councillor and cabinet member for planning and the environment, said: “The bottom line is that the heart of our retail town centre is not the place where we want a betting shop.

“The important thing is that we get the balance of shops right in the town centre, if we have all bookies and telephone shops that’s going to be no good for us.

“Creating a new use class for betting shops would give us the opportunity for us to turn these things down if we didn’t think they were in the right place.

“A lot of councils are supportive of this move but it remains to be seen whether they will get anywhere with the government.”

Stephen Shaw, national co-ordinator for Local Works, which is rallying support for the move, said: “Britain’s cities face an acute problem of an ever increasing number of betting shops, especially in, but not confined to, poorer areas.

“Councils need new and better powers to deal with this.”