Done Brothers (Cash Betting) Ltd wanted to open a shop at 32 Nethergate and the William Hill Organisation Ltd sought permission for an office at Unit 6B in Whitehall Street.

In both cases the applications were opposed by Ladbrokes Ltd on the basis that there was no unmet demand for betting in the area.

An agent for Done Brothers said the company operated on a lower gross profit margin than other betting firms, meaning that “more of the punters’ money goes back to the punters”.

The agent said the company offered better trading terms for customers and had found that, where they opened a shop, the other big three betting chains tended to change their terms.

An agent for Ladbrokes said their Union Street shop was catering well for local demand.

Board chairman Neil Powrie moved refusal of the application. He said the location, in the main high street of Dundee, was not suitable for a betting office.

Moving the application be granted, Councillor Bruce Mackie said the days of betting shops only being sited up alleyways were gone. He said the proposed shop would introduce competition into the area.

Cllr Powrie’s motion to refuse was carried by six votes to two.

The board then considered an application by William Hill, for whom solicitor Rod McKenzie said the company would be investing just under £200,000 in fitting out the premises.

The agent for Ladbrokes said his objection was on similar lines to that for the Done Brothers application in that there was no unmet demand in the area.

Councillor Powrie moved refusal of the application, again on the grounds that the location was unsuitable for a betting office.

He said Whitehall Street was a very important street and they should be looking for a more prestigious type of development.

Mr Powrie’s motion to refuse was carried by five votes to three.