A CARD shop is set to be transformed into a bookmakers in Beverley.
A planning application has been submitted to East Riding Council to convert Love From in Toll Gavel into a branch of Coral.
Nishin Umer, owner of Love From, which is closing down, said: "I'll be upset leaving the shop but I'm glad that we will be doing in on a high, and that we haven't got into debt."
Mrs Umer set up the shop four years ago and says she will miss her regular customers, especially during the festive season.
She said: "Christmas is always a very busy time and lots of our customers have said they are sad that they won't see us this year."
But Mrs Umer fears small independent businesses will struggle to survive in the tough financial climate.
She said: "With the price of rents and rates, small independents can't afford it."
Bookmakers are becoming more prevalent in high streets across the country.
Simon Clare, director of communications at Coral, said: "There is plenty of customer demand for new, high quality, betting shops in highly populated towns and cities, of which Beverley is a good example.
"At a time when many businesses are leaving the high street and shop units are becoming vacant and boarded up, we are setting up new shops, or moving existing shops, onto the high street, creating new jobs in local communities and high quality retail environments for customers to spend their leisure time in.
"Coral is an industry leader when it comes to the quality of our shops and the customer service we deliver, so I am confident that the people in Beverley who enjoy betting as a pastime will welcome the arrival of our new shop when it comes."
The planning application, yet to be considered by East Riding Council planning committee, says any development will be sensitive to the conservation area and the proposed new shop front will be similar to the existing one.
No changes will be made to the upper part of the building and air conditioning units and satellite dishes will be kept out of sight.
But Malte Klöckner, senior conservation officer at East Riding Council, objected in writing, stating: "I object to the alterations to the front elevation.
"Covering the entire shop front in a corporate, untraditional colour would add significant harm to the conservation area."
There have been no other objections on the East Riding Council website.
If the application is accepted, it will be the fourth betting shop in the town centre.
But rivals are confident Coral will not affect their business.
Carl Skelton, 53, assistant manager of Chisholm Bookmakers in Walkergate, Beverley, said: "I don't think it will make much of an impact to be honest, but time will tell, I guess."
Other traders in the town have expressed regret at the closure of an independent business.
Louise Grant, store manager at Browns department store in Beverley and a member of the Beverley and District Chamber of Trade, said: "Love From is an important part of Beverley town centre and we always like to support our local businesses."
Julian Minshall, Chairman of Beverley and District Chamber of Trade, said: "It's nice to have independent stores in Beverley. It's always sad if a decision to close a store is made but it's good for a shop to be replaced with another business."
The application is currently under consideration by the East Riding Council.
Visit www.eastriding.gov.uk for full details of the change of use application.
Any representations must be made by April 16.
