Do you want a gambling arcade on Main Street?

[4th gen Suthen']

and there you go...for once I agree with Maxmix LoL

[maxmix]

and there you go...for once I agree with Maxmix LoL

Thanks

I've actually had about a dozen people to date saying it's a disgrace, especially after the betting shop licence was granted last year and Licencing knew exactly where the proposed premises were going to be...

I know Planning and Licencing are totally different, but it's a strange one....

And the grounds for refusal are even more amusing.... No doubt the objectors would be happy to see another 12 premises closed in the Main Street area to go with the existing 12 or so..... so they can have their peace and quite lol

A Ferry !!!! Look at the Arse they made of running the last one lol That was a good business plan, with an even better backup...

Fortunes are blown in this area and what have we got to show for it.... But we have a nice secondry School I suppose !

maxmix

[maxmix]

Just to let everyone know, i'm selling off all my Mobile Phone and Computer stock ASAP.... It has really been a quick 18 months in Tradewinds....

I'll be doing Computer & Mobile phone repairs and can be contacted at 9 or 11 Main Street as per usual....

Work starts on the new Licensed Betting Office (Bookies) and Adult Gaming Centre (Amusements) in a week's time...

Both businesses will be open very soon....

maxmix

[D.H]

I am pleased to see that the phone / computer business on Main Street is continuing. However, I am concerned that the betting / gambling centre is still going ahead. I had understood that this had been refused by the Council.

If so this is very worrying for the expected increase in the negative social impact on the community as seen in this Scottish Govt research  (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/143770/0036514.pdf). The easier availability of gambling machines in a place with limited diversionary activities, with people looking for a quick fix to their existing financial problems, and the existence of people already with addictions seems to me to be a perfect storm for fostering gambling addiction. The research above shows that between five and ten people are affected by a problem gambler directly. This is their family, friends and work colleagues. So the money spent will leave the area into the pockets of the shareholders whilst the community and the statutory services (Council /NHS) will have to deal with the problems.
 
The owner will argue that there are already opportunities to gamble locally and online but the research above is very clear that availability and convenience increases the number of gambling addicts and that gambling machines are particularly dangerous in fostering addiction. If you read the comments of real stories on the Scottish Gamblers Anonymous website you will see how it affects families with some people spending £80-100 a night.http://www.gascotland.org/stories/web
 
I would also argue that a gambling ghetto in the centre of town presents the town as a failed community rather than a thriving one to visitors. It would certainly put me off visiting a town whose main attraction is a gambling centre. As a parent I would be concerned to allow my teenager to be in Campbeltown town centre with such easy and attractive gambling there. I am also concerned if this will discourage parents from allowing their children to attend the Youth Cafe, where Gallery 10 is now, across the road as they may also have the same concerns.

[bill]

J
Work starts on the new Licensed Betting Office (Bookies) and Adult Gaming Centre (Amusements) in a week's time...

Both businesses will be open very soon....

maxmix

More jobs for the town.Can't argue with that.

[jalba]

Is this part of the town centre degeneration project? bad news

[weetoonboy]

Is this part of the town centre degeneration project? bad news

As opposed to boarded-up shops.

Balances have to be struck.

[Mr.Everready]

 
concerns.

As far as I'm aware, the premises will be over 18 only, so need to worry about your or anybody elses children. You do realise that there are gambling machines already available in Scotbet ?

As for a "gambling ghetto" do you see any negative posts/letters about Scotbet at all ? I'd rather have 2 more shops opened employing a number of people as opposed to them being boarded up.

[D.H]

I am not a great fan of the Scotbet shop being one of the biggest shop fronts in the centre of town either. What research shows is that women and young people in particular are more attracted to amusement centres than traditional betting shops. Scotbet and similar betting shops are very intimidating to enter whilst slot machine arcades are very easy for people to come over the threshold. Am I to assume that no under 18s will be allowed over the doorstep of the new arcade? Or that no under 18s will be there? We all know that young people are keen to be treated as older than they are which is why so many smoke and drink so early. Are you honestly saying that they won't be seeing going into this arcade as a rite of passage now? How sad is that?

I have heard the argument that it is better to have jobs than not but I think that the fact that some industries like nuclear dumping show that most communities do not see that all jobs are helpful to the economy or the community. Remember that with public sector cuts due to continue there will not be services to deal with the dreadful and painful consequences of increased gambling addiction.

[Isa]

DH, I was about to ask the same thing regarding the age limit. On the subject of jobs, it will be interesting to see how many jobs this venture creates.

I think it is disappointing to see another Bookies opening in the centre of town.

[argylltourist]

Shopping in town is a downgrade,so why not add an arcade to the mix?

Some local traders complained that the new Tesco would be the end of lots of local shops........Well the new Tesco is not here yet,but shops are empty!!!

Some shops, at present,are closed Mondays..some close Wednesday...early closing on Saturday...shut Sunday...

What a way to make a living!!!!!!

[Ship called Dignity]

Shopping in town is a downgrade,so why not add an arcade to the mix?

Some local traders complained that the new Tesco would be the end of lots of local shops........Well the new Tesco is not here yet,but shops are empty!!!

I'm not too bothered about another bookies on the Main Street of the town if it is to a similar standard of the Scotbet one which fits in well - certainly in comparison to some other shop fronts etc.

With regards empty shops I don't think I can recall (in recent years) so many occupied shops with very few unoccupied. I think the town is looking pretty positive this weather and in comparison to other towns across the country. Work has started on the Royal too.

[bill]

With regards empty shops I don't think I can recall (in recent years) so many occupied shops with very few unoccupied. I think the town is looking pretty positive this weather and in comparison to other towns across the country.

I was back in the town last weekend Davie,and just do not share your optimism.Maybe it is because I am older and remember when the town was bustling all year round.

[Ship called Dignity]

With regards empty shops I don't think I can recall (in recent years) so many occupied shops with very few unoccupied. I think the town is looking pretty positive this weather and in comparison to other towns across the country.

I was back in the town last weekend Davie,and just do not share your optimism.Maybe it is because I am older and remember when the town was bustling all year round.

Bill, I don't think you will ever share my optimism! Maybe it is because, as you say, you remember the town from days gone by and nothing will ever be better than then. There is no doubt the town centre is far better than in recent years (and I mean the last decade or so) with only 1 shop in the main street unoccupied. Longrow is getting there too and I'm sure the new development at Park Square will boost the area as you enter the town (though I have my reservations at the money being spent there!!)

You had the town on a good weekend too!!

[Bitter End]

Havin bin floatin aboot the toon for some 50 + 10 years noo I agree wi Ship --- the last wee while is a steady improvement wi a bit mair life aboot Main street an Longrow.If it can haud whin the BIG Tesco opens we are awa an runnin !