Gambling firm Betfred intended on opening another bookmakers’ premises in the town — a few hundred yards from its current shop in Clyde Shopping Centre.

Bosses submitted an application to West Dunbartonshire Council to take over and subdivide the Harry Corry interior furnishing store.

At last week’s planning committee, a solicitor for the bookmakers argued that approving the application would enhance footfall and bring vitality to the town centre.

However, councillors disagreed and insisted a betting shop would do the exact opposite — and take cash out the pockets of Clydebank people.

Councillor Denis Agnew said: “Clyde Shopping Centre is among the busiest in the country. There are certainly reasons that Betfred want it going in — and I don’t think it’s to provide footfall to the centre.” Proposals for the large premises, adjacent to the McDonald’s restaurant in the shopping centre, included splitting it into a bookies and retail store.

Councillor John Mooney pointed out there is a Betfred shop across the canal and down the shopping centre arcade. He added that Clydebank already has an abundance of betting shops.

Members of the planning committee were also concerned about the inclusion of high stakes gambling machines in the plans, which proved to be one of the defining arguments for refusal.

Councillor Jim Finn said: “I don’t think the proposals would enhance the vitality of the town centre for the people of Clydebank. It would be taking money from their pockets.” The council also received objections from Clydebank East Community Council, Parkhall, North Kilbowie and Central Community Council, two members of the public and a planning consultant acting on behalf of another company.

They argued that there are already too many betting shops in Clydebank, that it would lead to the loss of another retail outlet, would have an adverse impact on the area, and had concerns about the social impacts of increased gambling.

Councillors voted unanimously to refuse the application.