Former Thomas Cook could be given new lease of life as betting shop

By Matthew Hancock-Bruce 27th Jul 2025

The old Thomas Cook unit could be given a new lease of life (Credit: Nub News)
The old Thomas Cook unit could be given a new lease of life (Credit: Nub News)

A former travel agency could be given a new lease of life as a betting shop.

BoyleSports has applied to Cheshire East Council for permission to convert the old Thomas Cook on Mill Street.

If given the greenlight, the unit which has been vacant since 2019 would be turned into a betting office, which the applicant says will help boost footfall in Macclesfield.

The application reads: "The long-term empty storefront located in the primary shopping area will detract from the vitality and viability of the town centre.

"The proposed use will return a long-term vacant prominent unit into active use and the proposed use will help to increase footfall into the town centre."

The unit has been empty since 2019 (Credit: Nub News)

Along with a change of use from Class E to Sui Generis, the planning application covers some minor alterations, the installation of two satellite dishes and advertisement consent.

In 2022, Greenham Commercial Limited and Hallams Chartered Surveys LLP (referred to in the planning application as the joint agents), launched an 'extensive' marketing campaign to find a new tenant.

"Despite the widespread marketing campaign, the joint agents advise that interest has been very limited," the application states.

"The feedback that prospective occupiers gave to the joint agents identified that the limited size and configuration of the premises was a deciding factor in not progressing with a commercial lease.

"The role and function of town centres has changed dramatically over recent years with a decline in the number of Use Class E retailers. This is in part due to the rise in online shopping which has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"In this context, it is considered that there is no reasonable prospect of the existing Use Class E lawful use of the site continuing into the foreseeable future due to the sustained decline in market demand for such uses."

Proposed signage (Credit: BoyleSports)

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.

"It is evident that the proposal would deliver economic benefits to Macclesfield town centre," the applications adds.

"We consider that the economic benefits relating to the proposed development are a key consideration in the determination of the application, and this proposal should therefore be viewed favourably."

The consultation closes on Tuesday, August 12.

To view the application, reference 25/2426/ADV, visit the planning portal on Cheshire East Council's website.

     

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