Betting shop plan in deprived area of city 'risks harm to most vulnerable'

THE opening of another betting shop along a row of Cardiff shops would send one of the city's most deprived areas backwards, a local councillor has said.

- TED PESKETT Local democracy reporter

Cardiff Council’s planning committee approved plans for a new betting shop in Countisbury Avenue, Llanrumney, at a meeting on Thursday, October 2.

When it opens the shop will be the third betting establishment in Countisbury Avenue.

Despite the closure of shops in the high street, a number of residents in Llanrumney were not happy to see the plans put forward for 30 Countisbury Avenue and a petition opposed to the opening of a new betting shop there was soon launched.

Labour councillor for Llanrumney, Cllr Lexi Pocknell, said at Thursday’s planning meeting having a new betting shop in Countisbury Avenue would do “nothing to benefit our community” and would “instead risk harm to the most vulnerable”.

She and her fellow ward councillor Lee Bridgeman pointed out that a youth skills centre is due to open nearby and added Countisbury Avenue is a common route for pupils on their way to and from school.

Cllr Pocknell said having a new betting shop would send “entirely the wrong message” and undermine the work done by youth organisations and parents.