Holmfirth town centre will get a new bookies.

Kirklees Licensing councillors approved the application today – the first they have ever determined.

That’s because no-one has previously objected to plans for a bookmakers in Kirklees.

Two Holmfirth residents and one ward councillor called for the Licensing hearing , raising fears the bookies would have on Holmfirth centre .

But William Hill solicitor Richard Taylor said councillors should not decide the application based on fears people may have, but on evidence of the facts.

Mr Taylor said: “You can’t have regard to the expected demand, whether anybody wants it or doesn’t want it is irrelevant.

“Considerations about moral or ethical, whether it’s undesirable for the location or whatever your opinion of gambling, it’s not relevant.

“William Hill has 2,400 shops across the country, shops in towns, villages, cities and residential areas. They have never been prosecuted for underage betting.

“At risk wouldn’t just be Holmfirth , it would be 2,400 other shops.”

Mr Taylor said experienced staff would be brought in to run the shop when it first opens while new staff go through six months of training.

“Betting is a heavily regulated industry,” Mr Taylor added. “It would be wrong of us to employ people and have them working on the first day.

“Instead, we put them through six months of training and tests.”

One objector who attended the meeting, Cath Ingham, said: “I can see there is really very little option for refusal.

“My concern is that this is in the middle of Holmfirth , children are walking by to and from school in the morning and afternoon.

“I think this is sending out totally the wrong information.

“Holmfirth is a prime tourist location, a lot of people visit. I don’t think it will bring anything of value into the town but I do think it will take a lot out.”

Clrs Mumtaz Hussain, Jim Dodds and Steve Hall spent a matter of minutes deciding the application before announcing it would be approved.

They have consent for a bookmakers at 11 Victoria Street, Holmfirth, daily from 7am to 10pm, but are likely to open from 8am.