A ROW has broken out among traders in Bury town centre over whether a bookmakers should move in nearby.

Coral Racing received permission at last week’s planning committee meeting to open a bookmakers at a vacant unit that was last used as a hair salon in Princess Parade.

But RR Planning formally objected on behalf of companies that trade near to the unit.

In a council report, the firm said: “The proposal should be refused. While the council has been flexible up to now in allowing a generous amount of non-retail use, this tips the balance and results in a clear over concentration of non-retail uses which detract from the character of the area.

“Shoppers and retailers lose confi-dence when non-retail uses predominate.”

RR Planning claimed the decision would breach council policy as it would push the number of units in the area not used for retail over the limit and it said there were already two bookmakers and a gaming centre nearby.

But Bury Council planning officer Mark Kilby said policy was not breached as the parade is not over the limit for non-shop usage.

He added: “The unit has been vacant since 2012. Any increase in vacancies is a danger to long-term vitality and viability of the shopping area, especially when retail focus has shifted to The Rock.”