I’d put my money on a betting shop (From Worcester News)
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‘She doesn’t want jobs’ jibe as councillors lock horns
1:00pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News
Marc Bayliss
THE deputy leader of Worcester City Council has defended St Martin’s Quarter – and says there is nothing wrong with a betting shop opening up.
Councillor Marc Bayliss says he is confident the £75 million complex will attract more retailers, and insists it is wrong to criticise the development’s progress.
His comments come after concerns were expressed that a Ladbrokes betting shop would be the next outlet to open on the site. Ladbrokes will join Asda, budget chain B&M, health chain Fit4Free and Costa Coffee.
Councillor Joy Squires, Labour’s parliamentary candidate, has said the move goes against the original vision for the quarter, which was for a more upmarket mix of cafes, restaurants and shops. Coun Bayliss, who is also the city’s cabinet member for economic prosperity, said: “I welcome the investment – a betting shop is a perfectly legal activity and I don’t understand her concerns. It’s a very middle class attitude to have.
“I am disappointed she doesn’t want to bring jobs and prosperity to the city.” He also said the quarter, off City Walls Road, does have a bright future despite a slow start for retailers signing up.
“I want to see the units full and St Martin’s Quarter part of a vibrant, thriving heart of Worcester,” he said. “This was always going to be a mixed development and we should never say ‘no’ to jobs and investment. It looks very attractive and I don’t see why it shouldn’t be a success.” Coun Squires hit back by saying she was “absolutely not anti-jobs”.
“St Martin’s Quarter has the potential to be hugely successful and we all hope that’s the case, but I’m still not convinced about a betting shop,” she said. Carillion Richardson, which is marketing St Martin’s Quarter, has revealed the site’s second phase is being announced soon, themed on restaurants.
The complex, which is anchored by Asda, has 284,000 sq ft of floor space.
Comments(5)
Jabbadad
says...
4:15pm Tue 19 Feb 13
Bookmakers and their clerks work out their odds as to the Bets placed and rarely if ever, lose money, well only by bad bookmakers who don't do the sums or don't lay off money when the odds are going against them.
So Ex Labour now Tory Coun Marc Bayliss seems to have low values on what will add business acumen for the new development in St Martins Quarter. Says a lot about Tory principals eh?
Landy44
says...
4:58pm Tue 19 Feb 13
BUT. It really is a missed opportunity isn't it? Worcester has become a second/third rate shopping destination when compared with other cities within commuter distance. We are lacking a good number of well known names in the town, and it's not for lack of appropriate space.
If the council want to reinvigorate Worcester, then I suggest they stop repaving the high street with tax payers money, and have higher aspirations than betting shops, bars, fast food retailers, and charity shops (NOTE: I am NOT lumping those together as "bad" - merely pointing out that there are a lot of those establishments in Worcester).
As for "Middle class" aspirations - there's nothing wrong with that. At the moment though it would be nice if we had some positive aspirations for the city, the county, and it's people. It would be also be nice if we did something sensible about it rather than trusting the local CONcillors with continuing to waste our money!!!
Jabbadad
says...
5:25pm Tue 19 Feb 13
Such a shame since they carry a large & varied choice of goods and at competitive prices, and would be an asset to Worcester's shoppers.
green49
says...
5:38pm Tue 19 Feb 13
TDH123 says...
1:23pm Tue 19 Feb 13