The amount of betting shops in Witham town centre has reached a “tipping point”, a bookmaker has warned.
There are currently six stores in Newland Street, which includes two branches of Ladbrokes.
MP Priti Patel has defended their presence, in spite of a Government-commissioned review calling for greater control over bookmakers.
She said: “I am a big advocate of diversity and our high streets have evolved and are changing dramatically.
Mark Galpin, manager of Coral, said: “There is competition but there is only a small amount of punters that float.
“It is like a social hub. We get the same people in here every day."