Bradford city centre has too many empty shops – a matter which has been raised in this newspaper more than once.
On the last occasion, the Chamber of Trade admitted that the situation, though mirrored in other cities, was “not good”.
Yet that same organisation has now voiced concerns over plans for a shop in vacant premises in Ivegate.
The reason behind this seeming contradiction is that the plans are for a bookmakers, and the Chamber feels this part of Bradford already has enough of these.
While such businesses presumably meet a need, otherwise they would not last long, they probably do little or nothing to attract shoppers into the city.
And any area dominated by bookmakers is, surely, less attractive to any would-be retailers than one with an established mix of shops already pulling in customers.
On the other hand, the building is, currently, an eyesore which could do with a revamp, and retailers are hardly queuing up to move in if William Hills were to step aside.
At least the firm is wanting to put money into the city at a time when others cannot, or will not, do likewise.
But it should not be beyond the abilities of all those involved to ensure a reasonable distance between these sort of businesses is maintained – especially given the number of possible alternative sites dotted around the city that are, sadly, currently unused.
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