BOOKMAKERS Betfred has been given permission to move into a vacant former bank in a Gwent shopping centre.
The former TSB Bank at number 7 General Rees Square in the Cwmbran Centre closed in May 2024 and planners have now approved a change of use application, by Done Brothers (cash betting) Ltd, for its Betfred branch at number six to expand into the vacant unit.
The shop front serving the two units will be replaced with an aluminium single door on the right-hand side corner. The shop front would comprise an aluminium box section with laminated safety glass.
An emergency fire exit door located along the back wall of the premise will also be blocked up.
Torfaen Borough Council planning officer Caroline Pulley described changes to the shopfront as “minor” and said due to the town centre location there wouldn’t be any adverse impact on residential amenity.
The applicants had highlighted as they already operate in the Cwmbran Centre the proposal wouldn’t result in any additional bookmakers within it.
Ms Pulley’s report which approved the application, stated the use would support the shopping centre: “The proposed development would result in the loss of an A2 bank use, the proposed betting shop use would continue to provide a shop frontage and attract footfall to the town centre.”
Information submitted with the application stated “there has been a very low level of interest” for either retail or office use of the former bank premises.