‘There is interest from a range of businesses that want to trade here!’ High street expert Graham Soult says fifth bookies ‘unlikely’ to boost trade in Spalding

A fifth betting shop would be ‘unlikely’ to increase footfall in a town centre, a high street guru believes.

TV regular Graham Soult - described as a Retail Cupid for his work in connecting empty stores with the right businesses - believes that landlords taking the first offer for a vacant property does not necessarily lead to a long-term success story for a retail area.

BoyleSports have lodged an application to take on the empty former Barclays bank site in Spalding’s Hall Place.

If passed, they would be the fifth bookmakers in the town centre and the seventh gambling den, along with the Merkur Slots casino and New Horizon adult gaming centre.

“A new betting shop would certainly not be my preference for the prominent former Barclays premises in Spalding,” said Graham, who has shared his expertise on TV programmes such as The One Show, echoing a sentiment shared by MP Sir John Hayes, South Holland district councillor Gary Taylor, who have both spoken out against the proposal.

“It seems very unlikely that an additional bookies will attract people into town who are not visiting already, and it is a use that will do little to enliven the building frontage or the street.

“Indeed, according to Gambling Commission data, the number of betting shops nationally has fallen to below 6,000 – a decline of more than 1,700 compared to five years ago – as gambling shifts increasingly online.

“So, opening a new one seems counter to the prevailing trends.”

Graham - a keen champion of Spalding - believes that the high street can flourish is the right traders are allowed to set up shop.

“Unfortunately, as I have noted many times before, very few commercial properties are owned by local councils, which leaves it in the hands of private landlords to decide who they want to occupy their buildings.

“As I always say, however, Spalding is an attractive town, and we know there is interest from a range of businesses that want to trade here.

“So, in this case, a slightly longer period of vacancy would be preferable if it gives time for a new occupant to emerge that will contribute more to the appeal and diversity of the town centre.

“My Retail Cupid work in other towns – helping matchmake empty shops with the businesses that are looking for premises – has proven that we don’t just have to accept the first offer that comes along, and that by being proactive we can have a positive influence on commercial landlords, to help curate the kind of town that we want.”