A local bookmakers has been granted planning permission for a new betting shop in Peterborough.

Yaxley-based S&D Bookmakers opened its new store in Ortongate Shopping Centre on Tuesday, December 9, at the site of a former hair and beauty salon.

The company applied for a gambling licence earlier in the year and noted that the new homes proposed for the East of England Showground site were among the reasons for choosing Orton.

After the opening, owner Robert Speechley said: “It seemed a buzzy sort of area and we thought maybe it does need a new betting shop coming back after the other one closed.

New S&D Bookmakers store at Ortongate Shopping Centre, Peterborough Photo: S&D Boomakers

placeholder image — New S&D Bookmakers store at Ortongate Shopping Centre, Peterborough Photo: S&D Boomakers

“We’ve gotten quite friendly with the lovely café next door and I think it’s all been very positive.”

A full planning application submitted to Peterborough City Council in October proposed to change the use of the unit to a betting shop and create two full-time jobs in the process — this was approved in December.

The shop will be open between 10am and 8pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am and 8pm on Saturdays and 10.30am and 6.30pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

S&D Bookmakers was established in 1966 and already operates at nine different locations in and around Peterborough, including Yaxley, Ramsey and Market Deeping.