A traders’ organisation has hit out at Bradford Council for allowing another betting shop to open amid fears that Bradford is turning into “Las Vegas without the glamour”.

But the Council says it was unable to stop Paddy Power from moving into Broadway because its shop was not technically a change of use and so did not require planning permission.

Paddy Power’s branch is in a row including Ladbrokes, William Hill and Leisure Land amusement arcade, with only the Acropolis cafe interrupting the line-up.

Bradford Chamber of Trade is set to call an emergency meeting to discuss what it regards as the “take-over” of the city centre by bookmaker’s shops and amusement arcades.

Many are located in buildings once occupied by highly-regarded retailers, notably the former home of the Brown, Muff department store in Market Street.

Today, Mary Frame, of the chamber of trade, said: “This is just crazy. It’s getting completely out of hand because it’s taking away a core of Bradford that should be retail.

“Any further bookmaker’s shops have got to be opposed very strongly. We are really quite annoyed about them taking over this part of town.

“It’s creating a bad impression and it’s so near to City Hall as well. Someone has got to take a stand against this because it’s just becoming a gaming area.”

Mrs Frame said Bradford’s ever-increasing gaming and gambling outlets put it at risk of becoming a less glamourous version of Las Vegas.

A Paddy Power spokesman said: “We are confident our arrival will be of benefit to punters who will enjoy the better value and concessions that Paddy Power offer – and they will find other betting shops, having had it easy for so long, will also be forced to start providing their customers with a better service in order to compete with us.

“That can only be of benefit to Bradford punters in the long run.”

A Council spokesman said: “Because the sub-division of the Acropolis currently provides an area for non-retail use, this is a permitted development not requiring planning permission.

“Whenever we receive a planning application for a change to non-retail use, we assess the impact it would have on the existing shopping in the area and look to provide an appropriate balance of retail and non-retail uses.”

The latest concerns have emerged only three months after a Betfred bookmaker’s shop opened up just around the corner, on Market Street.

Then the Reverend Chris Howson, city centre mission priest, said he was “saddened” to see more betting shops coming into the city centre, saying there were already plenty of places for people to bet in the area.