Residents fear a new betting shop could spark an increase in crime and cause gambling addictions.
Betting firm Boylesports wants to open in the former Barclays bank store on Station Road, in Ashington, saying it will generate footfall, jobs and will not harm the viability of the town centre.
But a series of objections have been lodged with Northumberland County Council saying the proposal isn't appropriate for the high street and could lead to an increase in crime and gambling.
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One resident said: "We don't need another one, especially of this size, it doesn't encourage the right people to the street.
"As a vulnerable adult, I have mobility issues, I am scared enough on the street without another gambling venue that brings people with the potential to need to steal to recoup their losses."
Another said: "Gambling can and does lead to addiction leading to deprivation and poor mental health.
"Given the ease with which established gamblers can already indulge their habit 24 hours per day, I would urge the council to protect the youth of the area from having to walk past a shop which is seeking to draw fresh punters in.
"Another betting shop will prevent a more ethical business from utilising the building and will further detract from the amenity of the area."
If given the go-ahead the betting shop would be next door to a William Hill bookmaker, and join Coral which is also on Station Road, while Chisholm Bookmakers is within walking distance on North Seaton Road.
While another person echoed their fears: "We do not need more betting shops in Ashington town centre. Gambling is a huge problem for many many people, gambling addiction can cost people their families, homes, jobs and lives."
One man said: "This is not the best way to create a vibrant high street. We need local traders selling quality goods and somewhere for people to enjoy a day or night out."
But in a planning application submitted to the local authority, agent Lichfields say betting shops generate footfall and people spend money in other shops in town centres.
It adds: "This behaviour demonstrates components of a healthy retail environment and highlights that betting offices do not present a harm to the shopping function and/or vitality and viability of market towns, but in fact contribute positively towards them.
"As a whole, the proposals will reinforce the role of Ashington town centre as a ‘main town centre’ within the hierarchy, and: support the vitality and viability of the town centre by bringing a vacant unit back into use as well as generating linked trips which support other existing nearby uses; enhance the variety of leisure options and uses as a whole within the town centre; and contribute to an active frontage within the primary shopping area."
Three full time and three part time jobs are expected to be created through the shop, in addition to 26 temporary construction jobs through the fitting of the new store.
The firm invests around £300,0000 fitting out each new unit and pays £9,500 per unit, per annum on business rates to the council.
Andrew Darby, of Lichfields, said: "In terms of comments to address the concerns, we would just note that whilst betting office provision can often be an emotive subject, planning decisions need to be made in accordance with the council’s development plan which the proposal is entirely in accordance with.
"The proposal would bring the vacant unit back into use, as well as generating linked trips which support other existing nearby uses."
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