'No room' for third bookmakers shop

Dessy Higgins, proprietor of Patrick Higgins bookmakers on Catherine Street and Linenhall Street, this week welcomed the news that a Judge blocked a proposal by Sean Graham to place an office in the Bovally area. Judge Piers Grant declined the application on the grounds of a lack of demand. In January the Sentinel revealed the betting giant's proposal to open up shop in Bovally next to a number of retail units. Community workers and local representatives were up in arms over the planning application, which failed to come before council, and claimed it would "tempt" those out of work in an "unemployment blackspot". Representatives were also unhappy the bookies would be situated beside a church and a youth club. Mr Higgins, who failed to object against the application within the time, says that he is happy the proposal was blocked.

Mr Higgins said: "This is the worst recession that we have ever had and people really don't have the money anymore to gamble. We have been feeling the drop ourselves, as has ever other bookmakers in the country. There's been a big drop in business and there's just no room for another office in the town."

Ladbrokes, who do not have a store in the town, objected against the application. Judge Grant, who had visited the two existing bookmakers on weekday afternoons for research said he felt "satisfied that the existing premises alone provide more than adequate facilities to meet bookmaking demand within the Limavady locality."

In his judgement Judge Grant added that in line with statutory guidelines: "Courts should grant no more than the minimum number of licences within a locality to meet the demand from punters for bookmaking services within the locality."

UUC Councillor Leslie Cubitt, who strongly objected to the proposal in January called the news "excellent".

"Another bookies was the last thing the area needed. Limavady is well enough supplied as it is. The people that hang around bookies would not be welcome in the area, or the anti-social elements that they attract."