ANGRY traders fear their shopping parade will be turned into a "ghost town" if plans for a betting shop are approved.

Shop owners in Old Dover Road, Blackheath, are already reporting a loss in trade.

If the plans go ahead it will see three betting shops homed in the specially-designated Royal Standard shopping parade.

Traders say a betting shop will further hinder trade and will destroy the rich diversity of independent shops, which range from greengrocers to butchers.

Butcher Guy Sparkes has traded in the street for more than 30 years after taking over family business GG Sparkes.

With other traders, he has gathered a 350-signature petition after shop users urged action.

He said: "To have a betting shop means there will be a change of use and it certainly affect our trade.

"Shops here thrive off each other. If people visit the butchers, they'll then go and get their fruit from the greengrocer.

"But a betting shop? The diversity is gradually being eroded and we are fearful the place will turn into a dormant ghost town."

Council chiefs will decide tonight whether to grant planning permission for the Hatton Leisure Organisation to turn a former women's clothes shop into a bookies.

If it is approved the applicant will then need to obtain licensing permission at Bromley Magistrates' Court at a planned two-day hearing on October 13 and October 16.

Greenwich Council has an obligation to ensure at least 50 per cent of the parade remains as retail use to protect traders and ensure a diverse shopping parade is maintained.

A planning report outlines if the betting shop was approved 61 per cent of the designated parade would be classified as retail use.

Lawrence Smith, from the Westcombe Society's environment committee, is also concerned about the plans.

He said: "The choice of shops available to shoppers is gradually being eroded.

"Six shops have closed in the past six months.

"Betting shops just look like drab, boarded up shops and will not add anything to the parade."