A new betting shop in Macclesfield has been given the green light.

BoyleSports has been granted permission to convert the old Thomas Cook building, which has been vacant since 2019.

Cheshire East Council approved the betting company's applications despite concerns from residents and neighbouring businesses over potential anti-social behaviour, the concentration of betting offices, and the impact on the 'character' of Mill Street.

In a report recommending the applications be approved, case officer Urszula Kochanowska wrote: "There would be no detrimental impact on primary shopping area, local economy, Macclesfield Town Centre nor the design of the host dwelling nor the amenity.

"The proposed scheme is considered to have positive impact in terms of sustainable development, which in turn would most likely positively improve the economic benefit from this development.

"The reuse of the unit as a betting office would most likely increase footfall and create employment within the town centre, which in turn would most likely have a positive impact on a wider economy."

BoyleSports has been granted permission to convert the former Thomas Cook on Mill Street (Credit: Google Maps)

With regards to the objection regarding the concentration of betting shops, planning officers noted that Macclesfield town centre comprises of 505 units.

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This would be just the third betting office in this area.

"The proposal would result in a relatively small cluster of similar leisure uses, which would have a very limited affect on the overall mix of uses in the primary retail area and would not undermine its primary retail function," added Ms Kochanowska.

"The view is therefore formed that the proposed betting office relates to a town centre use and although it would add a gambling use, it would still only make up a small percentage of all units some 0.19% in the town centre."

Proposed signage (Credit: BoyleSports)

On Friday, October 3, Cheshire East formally approved BoyleSports' application for a change of use and a separate application for new signage.

Founded in 1989 by John Boyle, BoyleSports provide gambling and betting services covering a range of sports, including horse racing, football, tennis, golf, rugby, cricket, and basketball.

Today, the company has over 300 locations in the UK and Ireland, with plans to acquire more stores.

The proposed development in Macclesfield would create three full-time and three part-time jobs, as well as 26 temporary construction jobs.

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