SHOPS closing down have become a regular sight on Great Dunmow s High Street, until now, as a new bookies arrives. Coral bookmakers have taken up the old retail space that used to be known as Traders but shoppers and residents are not happy. Josie Newm

SHOPS closing down have become a regular sight on Great Dunmow's High Street, until now, as a new bookies arrives.

Coral bookmakers have taken up the old retail space that used to be known as 'Traders' but shoppers and residents are not happy.

Josie Newman, shop assistant at Maggies Trinkets situated just 20 yards from the new premises said: "We have had nothing but complaints about the new bookies, almost every customer we have had in the past week has told us they are not happy."

Coral is set to open its doors in the first week of March and has chosen the site because of its central location.

Internal renovation is currently under way and one worker commented that they were "well ahead of schedule".

Great Dunmow currently only has one bookmaker, William Hill, which is also on the High Street next to the post office, could this spark a competition for customers?

William Hill doesn't think so. Media Relations Director Graham Sharpe said: "It is not a problem. We are very used to competition and it is common place for there to be more than one bookmaker in a town."

Although the competition appears to be welcomed by rival bookmakers, Dunmow's Chamber of Trade and Commerce chairman Mike Perry voiced concerns over the new shop. "I'm not sure it is a good thing for the towns business as a whole. It sends out the wrong message to shoppers on the high street. We don't need another bookmakers in such a small space," he said.

Regular customers of William Hill have indicated that a new bookmaker is exactly what the towns needs.

Tom Rice from Church End in Great Dunmow uses the shop five times a week and has been doing so for 30 years. He said: "I can't wait to use the new place because William Hill's feels quite outdated now, customers require so much more. We want tea and coffee facilities, we don't even have a toilet here, I will definitely go to the new shop, it is nearer to the car park anyway."

What is your opinion on the new bookmakers?

Let The Broadcast know, e-mail editor@dunmowbroadcast.co.uk.