A BETTING shop has been refused permission to use the old Entertainer building in the city centre.

Betfred applied for permission to change the use of 45-46 Blue Boar Row from a retail unit to a betting shop but Wiltshire Council has said no.

There are already two Betfred shops in Salisbury and this application would have meant there being three within 0.2 miles of each other.

The council said the shop would cause unacceptable harm to the character and vitality of the city centre.

The local planning authority had no alternative other than to refuse the planning permission because of the proposal's failure to comply with the development plan.

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19 comments were received in response to the proposals, which were submitted in September 2022.

Some of these comments came from concerned residents, including Nicola Vaughan who said the "appalling" proposals would "destroy" the heritage of the city.

Jonathan Davis opposed the site because it promoted gambling in such a visible space in the city. 

He mentioned how having a gambling shop next to the closed Debenhams store, which has an overhang sheltering the homeless, could further expose some of the most vulnerable residents of Salisbury to gambling.

A spokesperson for Betfred said: "We follow the democratic process."

To view the full list of planning documents (PL/2022/07032), click here.