BOROUGH chiefs are being urged to allow a bookmaker to open its doors at two prime town centre units – or risk seeing them remain vacant.

Betfred wants to relocate from its current shop at Weaver Square to Leicester Street, on a key walkway between Barons Quay and Witton Street.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has received a planning application to convert two next-door units – the former Optisavers store, which closed in December 2019, and the old Game shop which has been vacant for 12 months.

Legat Owen has looked for new tenants to fill the units in recent years, and the chartered surveyor believes rejecting Betfred's application would be a mistake, particularly in light of recent store closures such as New Look and Dorothy Perkins.

In a letter to CWAC, director James Lutton said: "The impact of Covid-19 on the retail market, together with the general change in shopping habits, has led to an increased number of voids in the town including the former New Look.

The current Betfred at Weaver Square. Image: Google Maps

The current Betfred at Weaver Square. Image: Google Maps

"Legat Owen is instructed to market the premises [New Look] with no serious interest to date.

"It is our considered opinion that refusal of planning permission would leave both premises vacant for the foreseeable future.

"The occupation by Betfred would go a long way to help the reduction in available floorspace and we would hope the local authority can conclude that the proposal would have a positive impact."

Mr Lutton added that Legat Owen tried unsuccessfully to find a new tenant for Game when the retailer first went into administration in 2012, while it has marketed the former Optisavers unit for the last 12 months with 'no alternative viable interest in the premises'.

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A planning statement submitted on behalf of Betfred says the expected demolition of Weaver Square in future years means there is a 'pressing need' for the firm to find a new premises, while it would add to the town centre's 'vitality and viability' and mean jobs are retained.

Residents can comment on the plans until March 16.

See '21/00446/FUL' on CWAC's planning website.

For more public notices from where you live, including planning applications and roadworks, see the Guardian's public notices web page.